Enzymes are proteins made by the pancreas and aid in the digestion of food. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is when the pancreas fails to provide a sufficient amount of digestive enzymes. As a result, people who suffer from EPI cannot digest the nutrients in foods. This can lead to low weight/difficulty in gaining weight, severe GI symptoms like bloating, gas, and oily/greasy stools that float. When stools float, it can be the result of excessive gas and malabsorption of nutrients.
There are a few different types of enzymes that aid in digestion such as proteases, peptidases, lipases, and carbohydrases. Lipases break down the lipids, and carbohydrases breaks down complex carbs.
Creon is a medication that some patients with CF are prescribed. Not all mutations of the CFTR gene cause pancreatic insufficiency. Creon is a mixture of amylase, chymotrypsin and lipase.
Dosage varies from patient to patient and meal to meal. I am prescribed the 24,000 unit of Creon and take 5 with meals, 3 with non-fatty snacks.
For assistance with co-pays and refill reminders, CF Care Forward is a great resource. To receive a $50 deductible from your Creon co-pays, visit Co-Pay Assistance.
Don't forget to take your enzymes! :)
Rebecca
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