Creon is taken as stated in the patient leaflet which is enclosed with the Creon prescription.
I found this which described itself as a PIL -
https://www.creon.co.uk/-/media/creoncouk/assets/pdf/creon_pi_aebox.pdf?la=en-gb
Hopefully that might help anyone browsing who isn't sure and covers some of the same ground?
How do I take pancreatic enzymes?
The enzymes inside the capsules replace those that your pancreas is unable to produce. To work effectively, these enzymes need to be taken each time you eat, including meals, snacks and milky drinks. Take them just before you begin eating or with the first few mouthfuls of food as they need to be taken with the food/milky drink to work. If you take more than one capsule you should space them out throughout your meals.
If you are having a large meal with more than two courses, or one lasting more than half an hour, you may need to take additional enzymes with each course.
It is important that you swallow your capsules with a cold drink. Swallowing them with a hot drink (like tea or coffee) may damage them and make them less effective. Pancreatic enzymes can be damaged at high temperatures. You will need to read the information leaflet for your medicine for details about the maximum storage temperature. Do not keep the capsules in warm places such as window sills, near radiators, in the car or in direct sunlight. They may also be affected by your body heat if they are kept in trouser pockets.
How many enzymes do I take?
You will need to take enough enzymes to enable your body to digest and absorb food adequately. Your initial dose will be decided by your doctor or healthcare professional. This dose may be gradually increased until your symptoms are controlled. You may need more enzymes to help you digest very fatty foods (such as fried food, takeaways and foods containing lots of cheese, chocolate and pastry).
Your dietitian will explain how you can tell how many enzyme capsules are needed with each meal or snack. This includes even small snacks and any drink which is at least half milk.
It is important that you take your enzymes with all your meals and snacks. Without them, symptoms of malabsorption may recur along with weight-loss and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Sometimes you can experience deficiencies without other symptoms, so it is important you don’t stop taking your enzymes even if you feel you no longer need them.
Other medications such as painkillers, can mask some of the symptoms of malabsorption, making it difficult to adjust your enzyme dose. Speak to your doctor or dietitian if you experience symptoms like constipation.
Reducing your pancreatic enzyme dose may seem to help with constipation, but usually does so by causing malabsorption. This will cause malnutrition. It is better to take a laxative or take other steps to treat constipation in this instance.
What is my dose?
The dose you need is individual to you. It depends on your condition and the types of foods you eat. You may find that your starting dose is increased until your symptoms are controlled.
Your dietitian or doctor will help you adjust the dose of enzymes to ensure your symptoms are under control. It is important that this is done gradually
When not to take enzyme supplements
■ If you miss a meal. Do not take enzymes on an empty stomach
■ With drinks that are less than half milk such as tea, non-milky coffee, fruit squashes and fizzy drinks
■ If you are eating small quantities of any of the following:
– Fruit (other than avocado or pear)
– Vegetables (other than potatoes, beans and pulses)
– Dried fruit
– Sugary sweets: jelly babies, wine gums, dolly mixtures, marshmallows, fruit pastilles, chewing gum, and mints
■ If you take a very small quantity of another food, for example:
– An individual chocolate
– A small plain biscuit
Some people can manage larger quantities of low fat foods without enzymes. This can be assessed by your dietitian, doctor or nurse specialist once you have established the dose that works best for you.
It is important that you take your enzymes with all other meals and snacks.
