Mildred:

I wish there was more awareness about EPI. I’m still learning, I’m only a year out since my diagnosis. We need to make sure other people out there not knowing what’s going on—if they even think that they could possibly have it, go out there and research it because you never know.

Mark:

That’s why I feel it’s my duty to talk about it and share with others so that they can learn. And the health issues that can cause it, like chronic pancreatitis, which is where mine came from.

Mildred:

I just wish I had known about EPI and CREON a lot sooner.

Mark:

I wish I would have known earlier, too. That time in my life, I was riding with a group of bikers, and it kind of takes away from your tough guy image when you're carrying baby wipes and extra clothing.

Mark:

For a long time, I discussed my symptoms with multiple doctors, but I hadn't reached the doctor that was educated in that specific area.

Mildred:

I went through the same thing, from not knowing what was going on, to having doctors tell me that they didn’t see anything. Everybody’s story’s different on how we got this diagnosis of EPI.

Mark:

One of the trips to the hospital for the chronic pancreatitis was when I was able to share with the doctor some of the other weird things that were going on with my body.

Mark:

He knew exactly what I was talking about, but he was educated in that specific area. They discovered that I had a blockage in my pancreas due to chronic pancreatitis. They also discovered that I had EPI. The day that I was diagnosed, the doctor spoke to me about what EPI was. And he explained to me that the enzymes that are produced in the pancreas are secreted into the small intestine, and they break the food down to a level that can be absorbed. That function was not happening. My body was not producing enough enzymes to be able to absorb the nutrition. He explained to me that CREON was a replacement enzyme for what I was not producing naturally. And I picture that I'm swallowing these little Pac Man characters, and they make their way down into my intestines, and they go to work, and they do their job, and they break down the food that's in there so that I can absorb it.

Mildred:

That's a great way to explain how CREON aids in our digestion, so we can better digest our food and get the nutrients we need.

Mark:

I know there's other people out there that are suffering from the same symptoms we are. I hope that they will go and take the symptoms quiz at CREONINFO.com. It could really help them learn about EPI and know what information to take to their physician.

Mark:

I truly believe that everything I have been through has allowed me to help other people. Everyone with an experience like ours should go to their doctor and ask about EPI and CREON.

SAFETY VOICE OVER:

USE

CREON^® (pancrelipase) is a prescription medicine used to treat people who cannot digest food normally because their pancreas does not make enough enzymes.

Important Safety Information

What is the most important information I should know about CREON?
CREON may increase your chance of having a rare bowel disorder called fibrosing colonopathy. The risk of having this condition may be reduced by following the dosing instructions that your healthcare professional (HCP) gave you. Call your HCP right away if you have any unusual or severe: stomach area (abdominal) pain, bloating, trouble passing stool, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

What should I tell my HCP before taking CREON?
Before taking CREON, tell your HCP about all the medicines you take and all your medical conditions, including if you are allergic to pork (pig) products; have a history of intestinal blockage or scarring or thickening of your bowel wall (fibrosing colonopathy), gout, kidney disease, or high blood uric acid (hyperuricemia); or are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed.

How should I take CREON?
Take CREON exactly as your HCP tells you. Always take CREON with a meal or snack and enough liquid to swallow CREON completely. Do not crush or chew the CREON capsule or its contents, as this may cause irritation in your mouth or change the way CREON works in your body. Talk to your HCP or consult the CREON Medication Guide for how to take CREON if you have trouble swallowing capsules.

What are the possible side effects of CREON?

CREON may cause additional serious side effects, including:

• Increase in blood uric acid levels (hyperuricemia), including pain, stiffness, redness or swelling of your joints.
• Allergic reactions, including trouble with breathing, skin rashes, swollen lips, or itching.

Call your HCP right away if you have any of these symptoms.

The most common side effects of CREON include blood sugar increase (hyperglycemia) or decrease (hypoglycemia), pain in your stomach, frequent or abnormal bowel movements, gas, vomiting, dizziness, sore throat, and cough.

CREON and other pancreatic enzyme products are made from the pancreas of pigs, the same pigs people eat as pork. These pigs may carry viruses. Although it has never been reported, it may be possible for a person to get a viral infection from taking pancreatic enzyme products that come from pigs.

These are not all the possible side effects of CREON. For more information, ask your HCP or pharmacist.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

If you are having difficulty paying for your medicine, AbbVie may be able to help. Visit AbbVie.com/PatientAccessSupport to learn more.