Solvay Pharmaceuticals is a market leader and the largest manufacturer of pancreatic enzymes, with many years of experience in research and development in this field. The Creon® product line is used for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, associated with several underlying conditions, including cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic surgery.
Especially for cystic fibrosis patients, pancreatic enzymes are a cornerstone of treatment. They help to digest food better and avoid malnutrition.
Our advanced formulation and manufacturing technology has resulted in an optimal size for the enteric coated microspheres in each Creon® capsule, known as Creon® Minimicrospheres®. Consequently Creon® combines the features of fast, homogeneous distribution in the stomach with complete protection against inactivation by gastric juices. Creon® ensures a simultaneous passage through the stomach together with the food and a rapid release of the digestive pancreatic enzymes in the duodenum. Innovative research and development continues, offering patients real hope of further improvements in their quality of life.
Pancreatic enzymes
Pancreatic enzymes are digestive enzymes. They include three classes of enzymes: proteolytic enzymes needed to digest protein, lipases needed to digest fat, and amylases needed to digest carbohydrates. Pancreatic enzymes improve the absorption of food.
Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI)
Pancreatic exocrine insuffiency is a condition, not a disease. The condition is commonly associated with diseases such as pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis, in which patients have a shortage of digestive enzymes necessary to break down food and digest the fats, proteins and carbohydrates contained in food. This leads to nutrient mal absorption and is associated with weight loss, diarrhea, abdominal tenderness, loss of appetite/feeling of fullness, and fatty/foul-smelling stools (steatorrhea).
Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease. A defective gene causes the body to produce an abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections. These thick secretions also obstruct the pancreas, preventing digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines to help break down and absorb food.
A person must inherit two defective CF genes — one from each parent — to develop CF. Each time two carriers conceive, there is a 25 percent chance that their child will have CF, a 50 percent chance that the child will be a carrier of the CF gene and a 25 percent chance that the child will be a non-carrier.
CF occurs in approximately one of every 3,500 live births. About 1,000 new cases of CF are diagnosed each year. More than 80 percent of patients are diagnosed by age three; however, nearly 10 percent of newly diagnosed cases are age 18 or older.
People with CF have a variety of symptoms including: very salty-tasting skin; persistent coughing, at times with phlegm; wheezing or shortness of breath; an excessive appetite but poor weight gain; and greasy, bulky stools. Symptoms vary from person to person due, in part, to the more than 1,000 mutations of the CF gene.
Chronic pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis is a persistent inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is located behind the stomach and secretes digestive enzymes as well as the hormones insulin and glucagon. Chronic pancreatitis is caused by alcohol abuse (70%) or other unknown factors. Inflammation and fibrosis cause the destruction of functioning glandular tissue in the pancreas. This results in an inability to properly digest fat caused by a lack of pancreatic enzymes. The production of insulin is also affected. Attacks may become more frequent as the condition progresses. The incidence is 2 out of 10000 people. Alcoholism is a risk factor. Chronic pancreatitis occurs more frequently in men.