This information is not intended for US residents

GASTROENTEROLOGY

CREON® (pancreatic enzymes: lipase, amylase, proteases)
Solvay Pharmaceuticals CREON® is the most prescribed pancreatic enzyme preparation in the world. The continuous dedication to the development and improvement of its pancreatic enzyme preparations has allowed Solvay Pharmaceuticals to celebrate “100 years of progress in the treatment with pancreatic enzymes” in the year 2000. The CREON® product line is used for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, caused by diseases and conditions such as 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.

Solvay Pharmaceuticals’ advanced formulation and manufacturing technology has resulted in optimizing the formulation of pancreatic enzymes with the new CREON® MINIMICROSPHERES®. These considerably smaller spheres enhance the 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 at Solvay Pharmaceuticals. Recent studies have shown that a percentage of diabetic patients have pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. Solvay is currently investigating the usefulness of CREON® for pancreatic exocrine insufficiency in people with diabetes.

	generic name
	brandnames
	product description
	Indication
	description of indications
	worldwide availability
	date and country of first launch
	average dosages
	links

generic name
pancreatin (pancrelipase)
[back to top]

brandnames
CREON®, KREON®, PANKREON®, PANCRIN®,
[back to top]

product description
CREON® is a pancreatic enzyme supplement. It contains the enzymes amylase, lipase and proteases which help to digest starch, fats and protein.
[back to top]

Indication
Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, associated with several underlying diseases and conditions, including cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic surgery.
[back to top]

description of indications
Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency is a lack of digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas. It leads to incomplete digestion and absorption of food and subsequent malnutrition. Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency occurs in several underlying disorders. These are:
[back to top]

Cystic Fibrosis (CF):
Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disorder in Caucasians and occurs in 1 in 2000-2500 live births. In cystic fibrosis, for example, the exocrine glands, which are situated in the pancreas, do not work properly. The disease affects all exocrine glands, e.g. the lungs, the digestive system and the reproductive system. Its main symptoms are a persistent cough, recurring pneumonia, persistent sinus infections, nasal polyps, poor weight gain and growth, frequent and foul-smelling bowel movements and salty skin. It is usually diagnosed in children before the age of three.
[back to top]

Chronic Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis means inflammation of the pancreas and it can be chronic or acute. In chronic pancreatitis, there is slow, irreversible damage to the gland resulting in a gradual decline in digestive enzyme production. This causes malnutrition, steatorrhoea and weight loss. Patients most commonly go to their doctor because of recurrent stomach pain, often radiating through to the lower back. Chronic pancreatitis occurs most often in males between the age of 40 and 70. The prevalence of Chronic pancreatitis generally has increased over the past 20 years due to rising alcohol consumption.
[back to top]

Acute Pancreatitis
The incidence of acute pancreatitis has increased continuously over the last four decades. The majority of cases take a mild, self-limited course. The pancreas becomes inflamed and causes symptoms like upper abdominal pain and discomfort, nausea and vomiting, fainting, rapid heartbeat, fever and loss of appetite. Between bouts of inflammation the pancreas returns to normal and there is no long-term damage, but acute attacks can be very severe and even life-threatening. Acute pancreatitis is often associated with gallstones and alcoholism.
[back to top]

Pancreatic Cancer
Each year, cancer of the pancreas affects 8-12 per 100000 population in Europe and North America, and the disease appears to be on the increase, especially amongst the elderly. Risk factors include: heavy smoking, excess alcohol, high fat/high protein diet, exposure to industrial carcinogens. It occurs mostly in males between the age of 50 and 70. Symptoms include abdominal pain, weight loss and anorexia, abdominal swelling and jaundice.
[back to top]

Other Diseases and Conditions Associated with Pancreatic Exorine Insufficiency
Other diseases and conditions that can cause fat in stools and weight loss are pancreatectomy (removal of the pancreas), surgery of the stomach, coeliac disease and diabetes mellitus, for example.
[back to top]

worldwide availability
The CREON® product range is available in more than 60 countries worldwide, including the US. It is currently in Phase III pivotal trials for registration in Japan.
[back to top]

date and country of first launch
PANKREON® (part of the CREON® range) was first launched in Germany in 1900.
[back to top]

average dosages
The individual dosage for newborns and children are calculated per kg body weight; adults need a minimum of 30.000 lipase units per main meal. CREON® is therefore available in a number of different presentation forms and strengths to meet the needs of all age groups.
[back to top]

Links
http://www.cysticfibrosis.co.uk/
http://www.cfdatabase.org
[back to top]