Suggest Alternate Over The Counter Medication For Creon

Posted on Thu, 11 Feb 2016

Question: Hi - is there any generic equivalent of the pancreatic medicine "CREON" by Abbot Labs? Are there any that do not require a prescription from a doctor? Are the commercially available medicines that say, "Pancreatin" a suitable substitute? Any information would be helpful. Thank you. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Albana Sejdini (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following answers to your queries

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Thank you for taking care of your friend.

1. CREON stands for pancrelipase, the synthetic form of pancreatic enzyme. It is indicated in deficiencies and in patients with problems related to digestion.

This is a brand name sold in U.S.

2. Other brand names include :Palcaps,
Pancreaze, Pancrelipase, Pangestyme EC,
Panocaps, Pertzye, Ultracaps, Ultresa, Viokace, Zenpep

3. This is a prescription medicine and cannot be taken without prescription.

4. In South XXXXXXX I know that Abbott does have the office in capital, can contact people there to buy the brand CREON. Or can buy online and ship to your friend there.

All the best!
Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Albana Sejdini (4 minutes later)

Dr. Albana, thank you very much for your reply, which is extremely helpful and which I'll pass on to my friend XXXXXXX in S Afr. Are any of the commercially available medicines that say, "Pancreatin", in any dosage, a suitable substitute?
Thank you again, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Albana Sejdini (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, can find it at your local pharmacy

Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXXXXX

Yes, can find at your local pharmacy, but I am afraid you might need a prescription.

Your friend can also ask there at her local pharmacy as it is also sold in South XXXXXXX

All the best!
Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Albana Sejdini (27 minutes later)

Dr Albana, could you tell me specifically:

are the commercial medicines such as Pancreatin made by Twin Lab, with 500 mg Pancreatin in each capsule, equivalent to 2,000 mg of pancreatin USP, or Now Foods Pancreatine 2000mg, suitable substitutes to CREON?

They're available on XXXXXXX com without a prescrtiption and are significantly cheaper than CREON, which is unaffordable in South XXXXXXX

Thanks again, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Albana Sejdini (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
They are the same;do not exceed the daily dosage of 10,000 units/kg body

Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXXXXX

Thank you for your further clarifications.

The dosage of pancreatine is individual depending on the patient's pathology. That's why I emphasize to get a prescription by your doctor as he/she will decide for dosage depending on individual pathology, diet, and how well the patient is responding to the enzymes replacement therapy.

As I said earlier, Creon is not the only brand for pancreatic enzymes. There exists other brands which are cheaper but with the same components and action as CREON.

The recommended daily dosage also depends on the disease one has for any brand you decide to take. However, the upper limit is less than 10,000 units/kg body weight.

Once again, the substitutes are the same as CREON; just ask for the dosage her doctor prescribed to her to give you the exact amount of pancreatin to be purchased.

Thank you!

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar