Key takeaways:
Creon (pancrelipase) is a prescription-only medication that treats pancreatic insufficiency from a variety of causes. It helps you digest food more effectively.
The typical Creon dosage for adults is 500 to 1000 units of lipase per kg of body weight with each meal. The typical Creon dosage for infants and children varies based on their age and body weight.
Your prescriber will adjust your Creon dosage based on how you respond to the medication and the amount of fat in your diet. You’ll typically take a full dose of Creon with every meal and a half-dose with every snack.
Creon is only available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you find ways to save on the cost of your prescription, such as a manufacturer copay card and patient assistance programs.
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Pancreatic insufficiency is a condition in which the pancreas doesn’t release enough digestive enzymes (proteins). This can lead to gut-irritating symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, and stomach pain — among others.
Creon (pancrelipase) is the most commonly prescribed medication for pancreatic insufficiency. It replaces pancreatic enzymes to improve digestion. But multiple daily doses are required to receive its benefits. Here, we’ll discuss common Creon dosages for adults and kids.
What forms does Creon come in?
Creon comes in oral capsules. Each capsule contains three different pancreatic enzymes: lipase, protease, and amylase.
There are five different doses of Creon capsules. They’re typically referred to by the amount of lipase they contain:
3,000 units of lipase; 9,500 units of protease; 15,000 units of amylase
6,000 units of lipase; 19,000 units of protease; 30,000 units of amylase
12,000 units of lipase; 38,000 units of protease; 60,000 units of amylase
24,000 units of lipase; 76,000 units of protease; 120,000 units of amylase
36,000 units of lipase; 114,000 units of protease; 180,000 units of amylase
What’s the typical Creon dosage for adults?
The Creon dosage for adults will depend on your body weight, your usual diet, and the symptoms you’re experiencing. It’ll also depend on the underlying condition that’s causing your pancreatic insufficiency. You’ll typically take a full dose of Creon with each meal and a half dose of Creon with snacks.
The recommended starting dosage of Creon for adults is 500 units of lipase per kg of body weight at each meal (units/kg/meal). If you’re living with chronic pancreatitis or your pancreas has been removed, the starting dose is 500 to 1000 units of lipase per kg of body weight.
Your prescriber will adjust your Creon dosage from there based on your symptoms and the amount of fat in your diet. But in most cases, your lipase dosage shouldn’t be:
More than 2,500 units/kg/meal
More than 10,000 units per kg of body weight per day
More than 4,000 units per gram of fat ingested in a day
It may take several days to find the right Creon dosage for your needs. And it may change over time, especially if there are changes to your body weight or your usual daily diet.
Example Creon dosages for adults
If you’re new to taking Creon, understanding how dosages work can be difficult. Here’s an example to help.
Let’s say you’re living with cystic fibrosis, have pancreatic insufficiency, and weigh 96 kg (211 lbs). The recommended starting Creon dosage is 48,000 units of lipase per meal (500 units/kg/meal x 96 kg). So you’ll take two 24,000 unit capsules with every meal and one 24,000 unit capsule with every snack.
What’s the typical Creon dosage for children?
As with the dosages for adults, Creon dosages for children are based on body weight. But for children, their age also matters.
The recommended starting dosage of Creon for children is as follows:
Infants age 12 months or younger: 3,000 units of lipase for every 120 mL (4 oz) of formula or before each breastfeeding session
Children over 12 months to age 3: 1,000 units/kg/meal of lipase
Children age 4 and older: 500 units/kg/meal of lipase
Note that you should not mix Creon into a bottle of formula or breastmilk. Instead, you can open the capsule and sprinkle the contents directly into your infant’s mouth. You can also mix it with soft food, as described below, once they’re able to swallow it safely.
How to take Creon
You can swallow Creon capsules whole. But for children or adults who have trouble swallowing pills, you can also open the capsule and sprinkle the contents onto a soft, acidic food. Some examples of foods you can mix it with include applesauce, bananas, or plain Greek yogurt. Once you mix in the medication, consume the mixture right away. You should then drink plenty of fluids to ensure it’s completely swallowed.
This method of mixing Creon into a spoonful of soft, acidic food also works when giving it to infants. Or you can sprinkle the medication directly into their mouth, then give them water, formula, or breastmilk to wash it down. Afterward, it’s a good idea to check their mouth to ensure that no medication remains. Creon can cause irritation if it’s held in the mouth for too long.
Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?
There aren’t any widely recommended Creon dosage adjustments for medical conditions.
However, your prescriber will likely monitor you for side effects and adjust your dosage accordingly. They’ll also likely keep a closer eye on your dosage if any of these situations apply:
You’re taking a high dosage of Creon.
You’re living with certain kidney problems.
You’re taking a medication that could interact with Creon, such as acarbose.
What happens if you miss a dose of Creon?
If you forget to take Creon with a meal or snack, it shouldn’t be a major issue. You may experience a flare of pancreatic insufficiency symptoms, but they should be short-lived. Just be sure to take the medication with your meals and snacks going forward.
If you find yourself missing Creon doses frequently, reach out to your pharmacist. They can offer tips to help you stay on track. Medication reminder apps, pill organizers, and keeping Creon in a secure location near your pantry can all make a difference.
What should you do if you take too much Creon?
If you accidentally take an extra dose of Creon, it shouldn’t be a major issue. Problematic side effects from Creon are more common if you take higher dosages for extended periods of time. But you may experience mild side effects, such as upset stomach and gassiness.
If you or your child takes a large amount of Creon, reach out to your prescriber or contact Poison Control online or at 1-800-222-1222. Not much data is available about Creon overdoses, so it’s best to talk to a professional for guidance.
How to save on Creon
There are ways to save on Creon, which is only available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between options like copay savings cards and patient assistance programs to save money on your prescription:
Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $5 for up to a 90-day supply of Creon using a savings card from the manufacturer. If you’re taking Creon for cystic fibrosis, you may be able to pay as little as $0.
Save with a patient assistance program: If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Creon’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of charge.
Save with Creon alternatives: There are several other medications that replace pancreatic enzymes. They aren’t directly interchangeable with Creon. But they may help you save money if your insurance prefers them. Examples include Pancreaze, Pertyze, and Zenpep. Ask your prescriber if you’d have better luck with one of these alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
You may gain weight after you start taking Creon. But that’s because Creon helps your body break down and absorb the food you’re eating — especially the fat in your food. Once your body starts absorbing food better, it’s normal to gain some weight. In many cases, Creon will help you regain weight you’ve lost due to pancreatic insufficiency. But if you’re concerned about weight changes, talk to your prescriber for guidance. You may need a dosage adjustment or guidance from a nutritionist.
Taking Creon without food isn’t recommended. It’s designed to help you digest food, so if your stomach is empty, Creon won’t be able to work properly. And it can lead to stomach irritation and other side effects. You should only take Creon with meals and snacks as recommended by your healthcare team.
Creon works inside your digestive tract as it moves through your system. It isn’t absorbed into your bloodstream like many other medications. In most cases, the enzymes in Creon only work for about an hour or so after you take them. That’s why you need a dose with every meal and snack that you eat.
You may gain weight after you start taking Creon. But that’s because Creon helps your body break down and absorb the food you’re eating — especially the fat in your food. Once your body starts absorbing food better, it’s normal to gain some weight. In many cases, Creon will help you regain weight you’ve lost due to pancreatic insufficiency. But if you’re concerned about weight changes, talk to your prescriber for guidance. You may need a dosage adjustment or guidance from a nutritionist.
Taking Creon without food isn’t recommended. It’s designed to help you digest food, so if your stomach is empty, Creon won’t be able to work properly. And it can lead to stomach irritation and other side effects. You should only take Creon with meals and snacks as recommended by your healthcare team.
Creon works inside your digestive tract as it moves through your system. It isn’t absorbed into your bloodstream like many other medications. In most cases, the enzymes in Creon only work for about an hour or so after you take them. That’s why you need a dose with every meal and snack that you eat.
The bottom line
Creon (pancrelipase) is a prescription medication that treats pancreatic insufficiency from a variety of causes. It helps you digest food more effectively. The typical Creon dosage for adults is 500 to 1000 units of lipase per kg of body weight with each meal. The typical Creon dosage for infants and children varies based on their age and body weight.
Your prescriber will adjust your Creon dosage based on how you respond to the medication and the amount of fat in your diet. You’ll typically take a full dose of Creon with every meal and a half-dose with every snack. You can swallow Creon capsules whole or open them and mix the contents with soft, acidic food, such as applesauce. Talk to your healthcare team about any questions you have about taking Creon.
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References
AbbVie Inc. (2024). Creon - pancrelipase capsule, delayed release [package insert].
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. (n.d.). Enzymes.
Karnik, N. P., et al. (2023). Pancrelipase. StatPearls.
Lewis, D. M., et al. (2023). Survey of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy dosing experiences in adults with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Healthcare.
MedlinePlus. (2016). Pancrelipase.
Rath, L. (2022). High and low uric acid symptoms: How to stay in a safe range. Arthritis Foundation.
