Pancrelipase for Chronic Pancreatitis User Reviews

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2020

Pancrelipase "First, this drug is EXPENSIVE. My regular insurance denied paying for it 3 times. I had to have my doctor fight with them on the phone, saying this is the ONLY current viable drug for Pancreatic insufficiency. They still complained. My stomach was in very bad pain, loose stool, and extreme bloating. After ONE day of use (5 pills of 12000 units), my bloating reduced by 50%. The frequency of loose stool is down to only once a day vs 3-4 times a day pre-Creon. The pain is beginning to improve. HOWEVER, this drug has given me one of the RARE side effects listed in warnings, 'HIVES'. My back won't stop itching. UGHH. So now I have to decide between abdominal pain all day or having itching all day. I have to ask the doctor for anti-itch pills now. ANYONE ELSE GET ITCHING?"

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 29, 2018

Pancrelipase "I lost a lot of weight and was spending my life in the bathroom. Creon has me almost back to normal. My dose varies according to what I eat, and I do have to avoid fats, but still eat salmon, avocado, and use olive oil... Healthy fats still need to be in one's diet... I just adjust my dose. So glad my doctor gave me this flexibility as we know our bodies best! Creon has been a lifesaver for me!"

• jen...
• August 31, 2011

Pancrelipase "I have chronic pancreatitis. For a while, I was dropping weight very fast. Lost 32 pounds in March alone. It was to the point where I couldn't function between vomiting and just the pain in my stomach area. I wasn't doing well. My GI doctor put me on Creon and things got much better. I take one before I eat and after. Slowly, I was able to add to my menu more of foods I can tolerate. Off the list before was any meat except for fish, lettuce, and anything too sweet. If I forget to take it when I eat, I do suffer the consequences later. I'm very happy with this medicine."

• Viv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2016

Pancrelipase "This year of 2016, I have spent two stays in the hospital with severe stomach pain. I lost two stones in weight as the normal day-to-day food of meats, vegetables, and snacks caused the pain to increase. In September, I was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis. My consultant then prescribed Creon. For me, I have suffered no side effects, only complete relief from the horrendous pain pancreatitis causes. I have now gained weight as I can, once again, enjoy meats, but I do trim the fat off steaks and chops. I also take senna alongside Creon as this helps keep my bowel movements almost normal. I very rarely get those nasty, smelly floating stools as I have got my dosage just right. Taking Creon has given me back my previous life."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 1, 2019

Pancrelipase "I was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis when I was 38 and not a drinker, only on special occasions. Since then, I have been taking Creon, 3 tabs at 25,000 with each meal, and it has helped remarkably - no more stools floating or fatty... less pain and feeling much more normal again."

• suz...
• February 23, 2017

Pancrelipase "I tried Creon and other NHS pancreatic enzymes, but they all made me worse than ever. So, I began taking a vegan enzyme called Botanogest made by a company in Belgium. It cured all my pancreas and stomach pain, and I could eat any foods I wanted with it. An MRI scan has shown it has also made the scarring on my pancreas completely disappear, which doctors say is impossible. Botanogest has recently been discontinued, and without it, I'll need a feeding tube. No other enzymes work for me. I believe Botanogest could help millions of people with pancreatitis be well again, like I was for 17 years with it. I keep mailing the company in Belgium, asking them to start selling it again, it's a miracle product for pancreatitis."

• Anonymous
• December 21, 2011

Pancrelipase "This is the best medicine for Chronic pancreatitis. I am using it and it's very helpful for me. Please use less amount of protein in your food and break your meal into two to three to four parts throughout the day. Don't take a large amount of food at one time. This medicine is helpful for improving the pancreas."

• Fed...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2019

Pancrelipase "After a gastric bypass 4 yrs ago, then followed by gall bladder removal, I was left with chronic unpredictable diarrhea, pain, bloating, and nausea. Recent tests showed I had EPI (Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency) and my pancreas was not producing enough, if any, enzymes. A week ago, I was prescribed Creon 10000 by the hospital. I feel so ill taking them. The pain and bloating have gone, but I am still getting diarrhea, bad nausea, a vile taste in my mouth that taints everything I eat/drink, and awful headaches. I take 2 capsules with a meal twice a day, then 1 with any snacks. I cannot eat normal meals due to the gastric bypass, so I tend to graze throughout the day every 2/3 hours. Is this normal, and will the symptoms go eventually, or will it always be like this? I am truly sick and tired of it all."

• Lee...
• January 23, 2022

Pancrelipase "I have been taking Creon for about 3 months now, and before I started the med, I wouldn't eat until 11 AM, but now it's like if I don't eat every few hours, I feel dizzy and lightheaded, and I get the shakes real bad. Most of the time, I feel weak and sleepy, and my stomach is still upset from time to time. Does anyone else have these problems? Please let me know if you have or are. TY."

• Anonymous
• January 6, 2017

Pancrelipase "This medication works well for me, and I had no side effects. The monthly cost is so expensive! $1,875.72 monthly without insurance! With little to no help from the pharmaceutical company. When my insurance will pay for it, it's $240 monthly."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2021

Pancrelipase "I have been taking Creon for about one month. It caused me constipation, weight loss, and anxiety. Please let me know if anyone has felt anxiety with this medication. Otherwise I'm okay with my digestion."

• sco...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2023

Pancrelipase "I have a rare autoimmune disease that's given me chronic pancreatitis. I have stones halfway up my pancreas duct and it's dilated. I have to have 4 or 5 hospital visits for stents and to try to get the stones out. Then my head of pancreas removed. I am 53 and have been sick ever since I was in a coma 5 years ago. Didn't know why. Now I do. So Creon has helped me big time. I'm only just diagnosed and have been sick daily for that time. Pains, toilet issues, you all know the symptoms. If I don't take Creon 25000 2 or 3 with a meal and 1 with a snack, I get all the badness back. I'm getting it for cheap as I'm in Australia and we have great Medicare here, so no insurance needed."

• Bla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2020

Pancrelipase "Started using Zenpep. No side effects, but honestly, it does not work. I've been in pain ever since I started taking it. I take it during each meal, and I am in pain. Pertyze is what really works for me, but my insurance does not want to cover it. It sucks that we paid too much for insurance, and I have to beg for my meds. Actually, it's the only one I take. I eat well - I gave up sweets, red meat, and coffee, not too many carbs, but I hurt. I go on liquid diets for 3 days, if not more. As soon as I eat, there is my pain again with these pills."

• Mem...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2023

Pancrelipase "I started Creon and felt great for 2 weeks, no side effects... and then I had swelling in my lower legs, ankles, and feet. The doctor told me to stop taking it. I am truly disappointed - less bloating, gas, no pain at all. I hope he has something else in mind."

• jon...
• September 4, 2016

"I have Crohn's disease, I've had two surgeries, and have problems digesting food. My doctor put me on Creon, and within an hour after taking it, I had the worst case of brain fog ever. Like being stoned, but not in a good way. I tried it for several days and then stopped. Waited several days and tried it again with the same result. My doctor said it 'could not' have been from the Creon... well, I'm sure that it was."

• ske...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 4, 2021

Pancrelipase "I took Viokase for years, and it did more for me than Creon. I never had any side effects and tolerated the drug for many years. I then moved to Ga. from Fla., and my new doctor took me off Viokase, and I now take Creon, and as I said, I wish I could still get Viokase."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2021

Pancrelipase "After 2 months using Creon 25000. It makes my anxiety go to a high level and I still cannot control it. Anyone suffering like this! Please share your experiences. I am worried about it."

• Anonymous
• April 3, 2012

Pancrelipase "Zenpep works great for me, however, the cost of the pills is ridiculous!"

• DDi...
• September 25, 2016

Pancrelipase "Advised to take capsules 20 minutes before food. Is this common? Had 5 bouts of severe vomiting & diarrhea in the last 10 weeks. 9 months on Creon. Any advice?"

• Ron...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 9, 2015

Pancrelipase "I also take this for my CP, works well but the side effects."

• Hun...
• June 24, 2011

Pancrelipase "Improvement was very apparent in 2 days. An amazing start. Hope it lasts."

• Swm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 3, 2020

"My pancreas has been damaged long-term by Lyme disease, after a long time of suffering, Creon made things much better."