How Creon Works — The Simple Explanation

When your pancreas can't produce enough digestive enzymes, your body struggles to break down the food you eat. That's where Creon (Pancrelipase) comes in. It replaces the enzymes your pancreas is missing so you can properly digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates and absorb the nutrients your body needs.

But how exactly does it work? Let's break it down in plain language.

What Creon Does in Your Body

Creon contains three types of digestive enzymes, all derived from porcine (pig) pancreas tissue:

• Lipase — Breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol that your body can absorb
• Protease — Breaks down proteins into amino acids
• Amylase — Breaks down carbohydrates (starches) into simple sugars

In a healthy pancreas, these enzymes are released into the small intestine after you eat. When you have exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), your pancreas either doesn't make enough of these enzymes or can't deliver them properly. This leads to malabsorption — meaning nutrients pass through your body without being absorbed.

Creon essentially does the job your pancreas can't. You take the capsules with food, and the enzymes go to work in your small intestine, breaking down your meal just like your natural enzymes would.

The Enteric Coating — Why It Matters

Here's the clever part: Creon capsules are filled with tiny microspheres that have an enteric coating. This coating protects the enzymes from being destroyed by stomach acid. Once the microspheres pass through your stomach and reach the higher pH environment of your small intestine, the coating dissolves and releases the enzymes right where they're needed.

This is why you should never crush or chew Creon capsules. Damaging the enteric coating would expose the enzymes to stomach acid, making them less effective.

How Long Does Creon Take to Work?

Creon starts working relatively quickly. Most patients notice improvements in their digestion within the first few days of starting treatment. The enzymes begin working in the small intestine within about 30 to 45 minutes after you take them with a meal.

However, it can take several weeks for your doctor to find the optimal dose. During this time, you may still experience some symptoms of EPI (like greasy stools or bloating) as the dose is being adjusted.

How Long Does Creon Last?

Creon works on a per-meal basis. The enzymes are active during the digestion of the specific meal or snack you take them with. They don't build up in your system or provide long-lasting effects between meals.

This is why it's critical to take Creon with every meal and snack — not just once or twice a day. If you skip a dose with a meal, your body won't have the enzymes it needs to digest that food properly.

What Makes Creon Different from Other Pancreatic Enzyme Products?

All FDA-approved pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies (PERTs) contain the same three enzymes — lipase, protease, and amylase — from porcine sources. So what sets Creon apart?

• Most prescribed PERT — Creon is the most widely prescribed pancreatic enzyme product in the United States, with extensive clinical trial data.
• Multiple strengths — Creon comes in five dosage strengths (3,000 to 36,000 lipase units), giving doctors flexibility to fine-tune your dose.
• Enteric-coated microspheres — Creon uses a delayed-release microsphere formulation. Some competing products use different delivery systems. For example, Pertzye includes bicarbonate to help maintain enzyme activity, while Viokace is a non-enteric-coated product used with a proton pump inhibitor.
• Proven in clinical trials — Creon has been studied in patients with cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatectomy, with established safety and efficacy data.

While there are alternatives, Creon remains the standard first-line PERT for most patients. If you're curious about alternatives, read our guide on alternatives to Creon.

Final Thoughts

Creon works by replacing the digestive enzymes your pancreas can't make on its own. Its enteric-coated microspheres deliver lipase, protease, and amylase directly to your small intestine, where they break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates so your body can absorb nutrients properly.

If you're taking Creon and want to learn more, explore these related guides:

• What Is Creon? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know
• Creon Side Effects: What to Expect
• Creon Drug Interactions

Having trouble finding Creon at your pharmacy? Use MedFinder to check availability near you.