Does anyone have EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency)?

My CREON prescription is about to run out. The pharmacy is out of stock. Can I substitute Vital enzymes until I pharmacy obtains more CREON? The VITAL ones are not enteric coated. Does that mean they will dissolve before reaching pancreas?

I put in a refill order for my Creon on 12/26. There was a low stock issue with the manufacturer and I just received my order on 1/10.

Here is the difference between the enteric coated Rx brand and the non-enteric coated OTC brands like Vital Nutrients:

The enteric pancrealipase has some is coated so it becomes activated after 30 minutes. This is to provide adequate availability of enzymes throughout the meal.

The non-enteric coated brands become active in the alkaline pH of the intestine and will last 15 minutes. The OTC brand generally contain less lipase than the Rx brands so it is likely more capsules may be required for optimizing. And with taking multiple capsules, stagger the time in dosing. This will ensure sufficient enzymes when eating meals longer than 15 minutes. I’ve talked with both Registered Dietitians and patients using OTC brands and find them equally effective in performance and significantly cheaper than Rx brands.

Great information - thank you!! I've been taking Creon with full meals and the Vital Nutrients supplement with snacks to preserve the very expensive Creon. So far, so good!

That sounds like a good method in using the two based on a meal or snack. Makes a lot of sense, cost and performance effective.

Diagnosed one week ago and SO many questions. Prescribed very expensive Zenpep. Can I eat as normal while taking these capsules? Need info on dosing, foods I can eat without dosing, etc. Doctor no help with this. He just says take one capsule before a snack and two before a meal.

I put in a refill order for my Creon on 12/26. There was a low stock issue with the manufacturer and I just received my order on 1/10.

Here is the difference between the enteric coated Rx brand and the non-enteric coated OTC brands like Vital Nutrients:

The enteric pancrealipase has some is coated so it becomes activated after 30 minutes. This is to provide adequate availability of enzymes throughout the meal.

The non-enteric coated brands become active in the alkaline pH of the intestine and will last 15 minutes. The OTC brand generally contain less lipase than the Rx brands so it is likely more capsules may be required for optimizing. And with taking multiple capsules, stagger the time in dosing. This will ensure sufficient enzymes when eating meals longer than 15 minutes. I’ve talked with both Registered Dietitians and patients using OTC brands and find them equally effective in performance and significantly cheaper than Rx brands.

Diagnosed one week ago and SO many questions. Prescribed very expensive Zenpep. Can I eat as normal while taking these capsules? Need info on dosing, foods I can eat without dosing, etc. Doctor no help with this. He just says take one capsule before a snack and two before a meal.

Zenpep? Had that years ago. It’s to bulk up stools. You must have gastro problems. Had Creon too I think, years ago. Zenpep helps you digest and get nutrients out of food.

I’m on ZENPEP. Medicare doesn’t cover Creon. Worked great for the first 3-4 months, now I’m back where I started. Hard to get hold of my doc and he seems indifferent to helping me. From what I have seen, most Gastroenterologists seem to lack any empathy for their patients. I had a great one years ago, he was the top world wide doc in the field. He treated my sister for severe Crohns issues. He called her his miracle child. I also saw him for GI issues. He had a great bedside manner, was patient, informative, and gentle. Unfortunately, he’s retired now. I wish I could find someone like him. The guy my sister goes to now is different than my doc, but she says the same thing I do, he’s not very good. I have seen so many complaints about doctors not being empathetic at all. I don’t know if it’s because they have too many patients with issues, or if they just don’t give a damn. I wish you the b3st of luck.