Creon - am I taking too much or too little?

Posted by stillaround @stillaround, Sep 27, 2025

Hi - pancreatic cancer person here. (Surgery 14 years ago removed tail, recurrence on head a year ago, currently in remission after treatment including hi-dose radiation.) Started Creon several weeks ago. I THINK I am taking enough as I am finally putting weight on, stools are proper color etc. But I am quite bloated with distended belly and a bit constipated. If everything else is good could this mean I'm not taking enough? Or does constipation with normal stools mean I'm already taking too much?

I take 36,000 with my smallish calorie-dense meals, my weight is 108. The PERT calculator indicates I need closer to 48,000 at breakfast but other meals I'm in range.

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anilittl | @anilittl | Jan 5 12:18pm

In reply to @johnny1955 "@anilittl are you having cramps with too much creon?" + (show)

@johnny1955
No cramps. The more fat and oil in food the more creon you should take, also if you poo floats is another indicaion your not taking enough. I have dumping snydrome because of the whipples op. This affects me terribly. The

whipple123 | @whipple123 | Jan 5 8:27pm

I had Whipple 4 months ago
Taking 1 Zenpep 40000 and 1 Pert 24000 every meal. Sometimes frequent stool
Still trying to adjust the dosage
Do we need to take these supplements the rest of the life?

johnny1955 | @johnny1955 | Feb 16 11:05am

In reply to @anilittl "@allioops always take Creon immediatly before food. i take 9 25000 strengh with all food, if..." + (show)

@anilittl
That sounds like a lot of creon. If I take too much I get gas and bloating.

jamie1235 | @jamie1235 | Feb 17 9:12am

I had the Whipple a year ago. I had begun taking one Creon with meals and snacks, but had “floaters” and frequent diarrhea, so my Dr recommended taking two, 36,000 with small meals and one with snacks. For the most part, that seems to have solved the diarrhea problem, but I do have gas and bloating, too. I eat lots of mashed potatoes to help prevent diarrhea!

gordond | @gordond | Feb 27 7:40am

I am 2 years post whipped and cannot gain weight, started. With 36000 2 at each meal now on 24000 what do I do to gain weight?

johnny1955 | @johnny1955 | Feb 27 9:09am

In reply to @katieliz "This topic is so confusing, I would like to know the correct amount of the enzymes..." + (show)

@katieliz I get my creon free, sent to me. Check with your doctor and have him pursue it. Also check on the web for Abbvie.com.

mhorowit | @mhorowit | 1 day ago

New to Creon. What do you use for a "snack"?

valerina30 | @valerina30 | 1 day ago

I can’t figure out this creon. Was taking 1 an it was helping they said take 2. Sometimes it works an sometimes it does, last nite I skipped it all together it was causing me pain next day trying to go to bathroom. I’m sure I’ll try again but it’s not working that great. Been a week for me

bzabeli | @bzabeli | 1 day ago

In reply to @mhorowit "New to Creon. What do you use for a "snack"?" + (show)

Five-year pancreatic patient here. Been on Creon over that entire time.
Can say 'it depends".
A bowl of ice cream maybe two. A doughnut might be one. A granola bar maybe none.
Wish there were a perfect formula. Best bet is trial and error.
Good luck.

bzabeli | @bzabeli | 1 day ago

In reply to @valerina30 "I can’t figure out this creon. Was taking 1 an it was helping they said take..." + (show)

@valerina30
Five-year survivor here. Been on Creon the entire time.
Lots of variables. Your metabolism, exercise or activity before or after, alcohol or none, what you ate or drank. Best bet is trial and error. And then you still sometimes get it wrong.
Keep in mind: those without pancreatic insufficiency also get upset stomachs and all those other digestive issues.
Wish there was a magic formula.