TOP 13 cheap and effective analogues of the drug Creon for adults and children

Pancreatin is a medicine containing enzymes that act as biological catalysts in the body. Creon is an enzyme preparation prescribed for disorders of the digestive processes, lesions of the exocrine glands and significant disruptions in the functioning of the respiratory system. These medications have similar pharmacological effects on the human body, and therefore patients often have the question of what should be taken for treatment - Pancreatin or Creon.

Pancreatin acts as a biological catalyst in the body; Creon is an enzyme preparation prescribed for disorders of the digestive processes.

Why do humans need digestive enzymes?

A large number of diseases appear due to enzyme deficiency. Chemical reactions continuously occur in the body to ensure vital processes occur. These reactions occur under normal conditions, without exposure to high pressure and elevated temperature. Substances that provide the human body with the necessary “building materials” and energy are oxidized in cells.

Thanks to enzymes - complex protein molecules, food is quickly digested in cells. Enzymes are biological catalysts - substances that accelerate the occurrence of chemical reactions, and are divided into 3 large groups:

1. Amylase. These are the names of enzymes - specific proteins that are capable of processing carbohydrates. Because there are many types of carbohydrates, each requires a different type of amylase. Such enzymes are secreted along with saliva or gastric juice.
2. Lipase is the name given to digestive protein molecules that break down food into fats. Their secretion occurs in the pancreas and the stomach itself.
3. Protease - enzymes that process proteins. Synthesis occurs in the stomach.

A person does not receive a sufficient amount of enzymes that are released after eating. Constant heat treatment applied to products - cooking in a microwave oven, defrosting and freezing, heating once to +60...+80°C - destroys enzymes. Because of this, a sufficient amount of such proteins does not enter the body with food.

Thanks to the enzymes that Creon contains in cells, food is quickly digested.

Foods that do not contain living enzymes have a negative effect on the body. To digest such food, he needs to use the synthesis of additional enzymes, and because of this, the creation of other important substances is suspended.

All this leads to disruption of the digestive tract. Symptoms such as headache, heartburn, gastrointestinal infections, diarrhea and constipation appear.

Thus, for the normal functioning of the body, a person needs more enzymes, because their main function is the breakdown of complex substances into simpler ones that are easily absorbed in the intestines.

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Features of Pancreatin

Pancreatin is a drug of combined action; it contains various components that have a detrimental effect on the inflammatory process, eliminating its manifestations and spread. Thanks to this, the product has the ability to have amylolytic, proteolytic and lipolytic effects. The tablets are covered with a protective coating; it protects beneficial substances from breakdown to the small intestine, so the effect of gastric juice on such a coating does not occur.

The drug promotes complete and efficient digestion of food, and also eliminates symptoms that arise as a result of digestive problems, such as a feeling of heaviness, flatulence, shortness of breath, fullness of the stomach, gas accumulation and diarrhea. At the same time, the product improves the functioning of the digestive system by stimulating the secretion of digestive enzymes and bile by the pancreas, stomach and small intestine. The latter is capable of acting choleretically, due to which fats are emulsified, their absorption is improved, lipase activity is increased and fat-soluble vitamins are better absorbed.

Hemicellulose is an important enzyme in the human body, because it is responsible for dissolving plant fiber, which allows us to take all the useful elements from it. The drug contains pancreatin, its enzyme activity is as follows:

1. Proteolytic – 200 FIP units.
2. Amylolytic – 3500 FIP units.
3. Lipolytic – 4300 FIP units, as well as the effect of additional substances.

The release of pancreatic elements occurs in the small intestine, where the environment is alkaline. They are protected from early activation by a reliable shell, which remarkably resists the destructive effects of gastric juice. During the research, it was possible to establish that the maximum effect is achieved 35-45 minutes after consuming the tablet.

Indications for use

The main indication for the use of the drug Creon is insufficient or completely impaired function of the exocrine pancreas:

• chronic inflammation or pancreatic cancer;
• bone marrow dysfunction;
• insufficient function of enzyme formation in the gastrointestinal tract in older people;
• mutation of the transmembrane regulator gene, damage to the exocrine glands;
• ductal obstruction.

If the main goal of treatment with Creon is to weaken or completely eliminate the symptoms of the disease, then the drug is prescribed if there are problems in the gastrointestinal tract:

• after a gastrectomy - a surgical procedure during which the stomach is completely removed;
• biliary obstruction;
• disruption of bile flow, accumulation of its components in the liver;
• negative symptomatic conditions after surgery to remove the gallbladder;
• symptomatic conditions after removal of a part of the stomach that was affected by the pathological process;
• pathology of the terminal part of the small intestine;
• intensive growth of the number of bacteria in the small intestine.

Creon is often prescribed to young children after they have suffered from diarrhea.

The main indication for the use of Pancreatin is replacement therapy for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency:

• complete or partial removal of the pancreas during surgery;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• difficult and painful digestion, disruption of the stomach;
• chronic inflammation of the pancreas;
• cystic fibrosis;
• symptomatic conditions after irradiation.

Pancreatin is indicated for chronic inflammation of the pancreas.

In addition, there are other indications for use, such as:

• excessive accumulation of gases in the intestines;
• chronic diseases of the biliary tract;
• improper digestion of food by the stomach, including after its partial removal;
• preparation for ultrasound and x-rays.

Impaired chewing function, eating too much food and hard-to-digest foods are all also indications for the use of Pancreatin.

Creon or Festal

Festal is a well-known drug whose active substance is pancreatin. It comes in pill form and helps stimulate the digestion process.

Indications for use:

• diarrhea;
• flatulence;
• colic;
• irritable stomach syndrome;
• eating heavy food;
• postoperative period.

Like any drug, Festal has its contraindications:

• individual intolerance;
• acute pancreatitis;
• jaundice;
• hepatitis;
• intestinal obstruction;
• childhood.

Today, experts consider this drug to be one of the most gentle, but there have still been cases of side effects:

• nausea;
• diarrhea;
• vomit;
• skin irritation;
• sneezing.

Making a comparison, we can conclude that Creon is considered the most effective, due to a number of weighty reasons:

1. Capsules have the best therapeutic effect.
2. Wide range of indications.
3. A small list of contraindications.
4. Exact dosage.
5. Possibility of using the drug by children.

All indicators are obvious, but the patient must make a decision together with the attending physician.

How are the drugs different?

The main thing you need to focus on when choosing one of these 2 medications is the doctor’s testimony. In case of a slight upset stomach, a minor disruption of the digestive process, excessive accumulation of gases in the intestines, or ingestion of difficult-to-digest foods, it is better to take Pancreatin. If the body is threatened by more dangerous diseases, such as chronic or acute pancreatitis, Shweikhman-Diamond syndrome, or if the patient has undergone severe gastric surgery, then the doctor will recommend taking Creon.

Another important difference is the way drugs act on the body. Pancreatin begins to act directly in the stomach, because active enzymes are released in this area. Due to the acidic environment of the stomach, these enzymes do not reach the intestines unchanged and are therefore unable to function properly. In this case, the active substances of Creon, on the contrary, do not have time to dissolve and reach the intestines unchanged, which makes the effect on the digestive system more productive.

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Characteristics of active ingredients

The active substances in the drug Pancreatin are elements made from extracts of the pancreas of cows and pigs. The main active ingredient is pancreatin.

The active components of Creon are obtained from the extract of pancreatic secretions exclusively from pigs. The main one is also pancreatin.

Which is better - Pancreatin or Creon?

Without a doctor’s recommendation and the necessary medical examination, it is difficult to determine which drug is best to use in the treatment of pancreatic problems. Despite the identical effects and similar indications, one or another medicine may be suitable in different situations. In most cases, when choosing a remedy, doctors rely on examination results, symptoms and complaints of the patient.

Directions for use and dosage

The drug Creon is available in capsules containing different amounts of the active substance. The dosage depends on the degree of insufficiency of gastrointestinal tract functions. The average dose for adult patients is 150,000 units/day. If we are talking about complete deficiency - 400,000 units/day. The maximum permissible dosage per day is 15,000 units/kg. The duration of treatment depends on the type of disease: for minor digestive disorders - several days or weeks, for chronic diseases for which the patient needs constant therapy - several years.

Pancreatin is taken with meals or immediately after meals. The average dosage is from 1 to 3 tablets 3 times a day. If necessary, the doctor can increase the rate.

Average prices in Russia for the drug and its analogues

In order to understand the average cost of the drug and its analogues, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the following list of drugs presented in the table. Before using any of the listed drugs, you should consult your doctor.

The difference in cost is based on the dosage form of the active substance. Cheaper analogues of Creon are presented in the form of tablets, therefore they contain enzymes in powder form, which can be pressed. This supply reduces the cost of production and reduces the cost of the final product.

In Creon, enzymes are mini-microspheres, which are subsequently placed in a capsule. This production method is more expensive, but this drug is more effective in use than its analogues. This is due to the fact that minimicrospheres with enzymes are released from the shell faster, and the concentration of the main substance reaches its maximum in much less time.

special instructions

There are some factors to consider when using these medications.

Pregnancy and lactation

The effect of drugs on the body during pregnancy has not been studied, however, judging by the reviews, Pancreatin and Creon do not pose any danger to the fetus and mother, so use is permitted.

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Childhood

Pancreatin and Creon are not allowed to be given to children under 2 years of age.

Elderly age

There are no restrictions for older people in the use of these medications.