Creon 10,000 Pancreatic Enzyme Capsules 500 (5 x 100) - Pancreatic Extract

Pancreatic Extract enteric coated minimicrospheres .

• Each capsules contains
• Lipase 10000 BP units
• Amylase 8000 BP Units
• Protease 600 Ph Eur Units
• Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some of the common questions about CREON 5000, CREON 10000 and CREON FORTE. It does not contain all of the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Please read this leaflet before you start taking CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE.

If you are helping someone else take CREON 5000, CREON or CREON FORTE, please read this leaflet before you give the first dose.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE against the benefits expected for you.

If you have any concerns about taking CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Your doctor and pharmacist have more information.

Keep this leaflet with your CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE.

You may need to read it again.

What CREON 5000, CREON 10000 and CREON FORTE are used for CREON 5000, CREON 10000 and CREON FORTE are pancreatic enzyme supplements that are used by people whose bodies do not make enough enzymes to digest their food such as patients with cystic fibrosis or chronic pancreatitis; or patients who have had their pancreas removed or who have had gastrointestinal bypass surgery or suffer from ductal obstruction. The enzymes are extracted from pig pancreas.

CREON 5000, CREON 10000 and CREON FORTE are approved for the uses listed above. However, your doctor may prescribe this medicine for another use. If you would like more information, ask your doctor.

CREON FORTE cannot be obtained without a doctor's prescription.

There is no evidence that CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE is addictive.

Before you take CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE

When you must not take it

Do not take CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE if your doctor has told you that you have acute pancreatitis.

Do not take CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE if you are allergic to pork, other pig products or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

Do not use CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack.

If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.

Do not use CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering, or if the capsules do not look quite right.

Before you start to take it

You must tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other medicines or any foods, dyes or preservatives.

You must tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, are breast feeding or intend to breast feed.

Your doctor will discuss whether you should take these products.

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you use CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

You should avoid taking antacids, which are medicines that are used to treat heartburn and indigestion, when taking CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE. Antacids may affect how well CREON 5000, CREON 10000 and CREON FORTE work by breaking down the special coating used to protect the pancreatic enzymes. If it is necessary to take an antacid, then it should be taken at least one hour before you take your CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE.

How to take CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor carefully.

These directions may differ from the information in this leaflet.

How much to take

Your doctor will tell you how many capsules to take to suit your particular needs. Do not increase the number of capsules yourself without informing your doctor.

The usual starting dose for CREON 5000, CREON 10000 and CREON FORTE in adults (including the elderly) and children is one capsule with every meal and snack. Your doctor will probably adjust the number of capsules you are taking until the medicine is effective.

If the doctor advises you to increase the dosage, you should increase the number of capsules gradually (for example, by one at a time). A very rapid increase in dosage may lead to constipation. If you are unsure how to increase the dose, ask you doctor or pharmacist to explain it to you.

The maximum recommended dose of lipase in infants and children with cystic fibrosis is 20,000 units per kilogram body weight in 24 hours. Patients who use more than 10,000 units per kilogram per day, will probably be monitored closely by their doctor.

When to take it

Take CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE with every meal or snack.

How to take it

Swallow the capsules whole with a full glass of water or, if you prefer, open the capsules and mix the granules with soft food.

If you mix the granules with food, it is important to swallow the mixture straight away, without chewing.

Neither the capsules nor the granules inside should be chewed as they have a special coating to stop them dissolving until they have gone through the stomach and into the intestines where they work.

When you are taking CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE, it is important to make sure that you drink plenty of liquid every day.

If you forget to take it

Wait until your next meal or snack and take your usual number of capsules.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.

If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you take too much (overdose)

If you, or anybody else, have taken too much CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE, drink plenty of water and contact your doctor, pharmacist or the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), or go to the casualty department of the hospital nearest to you. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

While you are taking CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE

Things you must do

Make sure you tell your doctor if you are still having problems with fatty stools or abdominal pain while you are taking CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE.

Drink plenty of water every day when you are taking CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE.

Follow your doctor's instructions carefully and do not stop taking the capsules unless told to do so by your doctor.

If you are about to start taking any new medicines, tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE.

Things you must not do

Do not give CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Do not use this medicine for any purpose other than for the purpose it has been recommended for you.

Do not use more than the recommended amount.

Do not stop taking your medicine until your doctor tells you to do so.

Do not let yourself run out of medicine unless told to do so by your doctor.

Things that may help your condition

Diet should be considered as part of your overall management plan. Your doctor may advise you to watch the amount of fat in your diet.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking CREON 5000, CREON 10000 or CREON FORTE.

CREON 5000, CREON 10000 and CREON FORTE help most people whose bodies do not make enough enzymes to digest their food, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All me