Creon
Creon contains a mixture of digestive enzymes (including lipase, protease, and amylase) derived from porcine pancreatic glands. It is designed to help break down and digest fats, starch, and proteins in food for individuals whose pancreases do not produce enough of these enzymes.
Dosage by Body Weight
Dosage is highly individualized and must be adjusted based on body weight, clinical symptoms, and dietary fat intake. It is typically initiated at 500 to 1,000 lipase units/kg/meal. The maximum recommended dose is 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal (or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day). Always take Creon with meals or snacks.
- Body Weight
- Below 5 kg
- Dose
- 2,000 to 4,000 USP lipase units
- Frequency
- With every feeding (formula or breast milk)
- Tracking Notes
- Specifically for infants. Administer contents of the capsule immediately before feeding. Do not mix capsule contents directly into formula or breast milk; instead, give with a small amount of acidic food like applesauce.
- Body Weight
- 5-7 kg
- Dose
- 5,000 to 7,000 USP lipase units per meal
- Frequency
- With every meal (half dose for snacks)
- Tracking Notes
- Calculated based on a starting dose of 1,000 lipase units/kg/meal for children under 4 years of age. Swallow capsules whole; do not crush or chew.
- Body Weight
- 8-10 kg
- Dose
- 8,000 to 10,000 USP lipase units per meal
- Frequency
- With every meal (half dose for snacks)
- Tracking Notes
- Calculated based on 1,000 lipase units/kg/meal. Drink plenty of water to ensure complete swallowing and prevent mouth irritation.
- Body Weight
- 11-15 kg
- Dose
- 11,000 to 15,000 USP lipase units per meal
- Frequency
- With every meal (half dose for snacks)
- Tracking Notes
- Based on 1,000 lipase units/kg/meal. Dose should be adjusted by a physician according to weight gains and stool frequency/consistency.
- Body Weight
- 16-20 kg
- Dose
- 16,000 to 20,000 USP lipase units per meal
- Frequency
- With every meal (half dose for snacks)
- Tracking Notes
- Based on 1,000 lipase units/kg/meal. If the child is 4 years of age or older, the starting dose may be reduced to 500 lipase units/kg/meal (8,000 to 10,000 USP lipase units).
| Body Weight | Dose | Frequency | Tracking Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below 5 kg | 2,000 to 4,000 USP lipase units | With every feeding (formula or breast milk) | Specifically for infants. Administer contents of the capsule immediately before feeding. Do not mix capsule contents directly into formula or breast milk; instead, give with a small amount of acidic food like applesauce. |
| 5-7 kg | 5,000 to 7,000 USP lipase units per meal | With every meal (half dose for snacks) | Calculated based on a starting dose of 1,000 lipase units/kg/meal for children under 4 years of age. Swallow capsules whole; do not crush or chew. |
| 8-10 kg | 8,000 to 10,000 USP lipase units per meal | With every meal (half dose for snacks) | Calculated based on 1,000 lipase units/kg/meal. Drink plenty of water to ensure complete swallowing and prevent mouth irritation. |
| 11-15 kg | 11,000 to 15,000 USP lipase units per meal | With every meal (half dose for snacks) | Based on 1,000 lipase units/kg/meal. Dose should be adjusted by a physician according to weight gains and stool frequency/consistency. |
| 16-20 kg | 16,000 to 20,000 USP lipase units per meal | With every meal (half dose for snacks) | Based on 1,000 lipase units/kg/meal. If the child is 4 years of age or older, the starting dose may be reduced to 500 lipase units/kg/meal (8,000 to 10,000 USP lipase units). |
Formulation
Purpose
Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) used to treat exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) caused by cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatectomy, or other conditions.
Generic Name
PancrelipaseScheduled Drug
No. This medicine is generally not treated as a scheduled/prescription-only drug in common consumer references, but local rules may vary.