Creon or Hermital: which is better

Enzymes are a part of the drugs that help the pancreas to process food. This is the name of the active substances involved in the breakdown of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. The pancreatin enzyme is produced by the pancreas, but when it malfunctions, the doctor may prescribe medications that help breakdown.

The most popular and effective drugs are Creon and Hermital. To understand which one is better, it is worth analyzing the composition, functions, similarities and differences of each of the drugs.

The content of enzymes in medicines

Various components contribute to the breakdown of food. So, protease is involved in the digestion of proteins, lipase - fats, and amylase helps the absorption of carbohydrates.

The ratio of enzymes in the preparations under consideration differs slightly.

The content of lipase, amylase and protease in the Kreon and Hermital preparations.

As you can see, depending on the dosage of the drug, the ratio of lipase, protease and amylase in the composition changes. It is impossible to say unequivocally which of the preparations simply inherently contains more of this or that enzyme.

However, Creon's 10,000 IU capsule contains only 150 mg of pancreatin. In the Hermital Preparation 10,000 IU, one tablet corresponds to 87.28-112.86 mg of the same substance.

Creon 25000 contains 300 mg of pancreatin per capsule, in the Hermital, respectively - 218.2-282.4 mg.

Creon 40,000 is 400 mg of pancreatin, and Hermital 36,000 - 272.02-316.68 mg of the substance.

Hence the assumption: to achieve the same effect, more Hermital tablets may be required than Creon capsules.

The mechanism of action of Creon and Hermital

Creon is a capsule with microgranules with active ingredients for digestion.

Hermital is also available in the form of capsules containing microbeads with enzymes.

Due to the encapsulation of the active substance in a shell, both drugs are not subject to the destruction of the pH of the gastric juice, but, getting into the intestine, they combine with its contents and have the desired effect.

Indications for the use of drugs Creon and Hermital

Any enzymes are prescribed for certain (identical) reasons:

• condition after surgery on the pancreas;
• chronic pancreatitis;
• overlapping of the pancreatic ducts due to trauma, scars, tumors;
• pancreatic cancer;
• partial or complete removal of the gallbladder;
• cholelithiasis;
• partial or complete removal of the pancreas;
• acute and chronic hepatitis;
• cirrhosis and liver fibrosis;
• bowel disease;
• muscoviscidosis;
• age-related changes in the work of the pancreas, leading to a lack of digestive enzymes;
• Schwachman-Diamond syndrome.

It is worth remembering: when taking Creon or Hermital, you must swallow the capsule whole and immediately drink plenty of water (about a glass). If enzymes are released in the mouth, it can cause irritation or sores on the mucous membranes.

Those who cannot swallow the capsule are allowed to open it, dissolve the contents in liquid food and immediately swallow it, and then drink it with water.

Video: Creon or an analogue of Hermital? How to help the pancreas?

General properties of Creon and Hermital

The composition of drugs, and therefore most of their properties, are identical:

1. If the benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the child, it is possible to use both drugs during pregnancy and lactation.
2. The reception of both Creon and Hermital does not affect the work with mechanisms and the process of driving a car.
3. Enzyme preparations can be given to young children at their prescribed dosage.
4. Medicines should not be used in case of individual intolerance to the drug or exacerbation of pancreatitis.
5. If, after taking Creon or Hermital, abdominal pain intensifies, intestinal disorders, rash, edema appear, you need to stop treatment and consult a doctor.
6. Enzymatic preparations are stored in a dry place at a temperature not exceeding 25 degrees.

Differences in the action of Creon and Hermital

Despite the fact that in both drugs the active ingredient is pancreatin, there are nuances that differ from each other.

1. Creon is prescribed for diseases of the pancreas, pathologies of the digestive system and in various difficult cases. Hermital, except for cases of disruption of the gastrointestinal tract as a result of pathological or age-related changes, prescribed for errors in the diet (overeating, eating a lot of fatty, smoked, spicy food).
2. Creon 10,000 IU is stored for 24 months, in other dosages - 36 months. This is the shelf life of the medicine in a sealed package, and after the bottle with Creon is opened, it can be stored for up to 3 months. The period of sale of the drug Hermital in all cases is 36 months.
3. Creon 40,000 IU is a prescription drug. All other dosages of the drug are commercially available. Hermital is sold without a prescription anyway.
4. The interaction of Creon with other drugs is not fully understood. It is known about Hermital that it can reduce the absorption of folic acid, as well as some synthetic antidiabetic drugs (for example, based on acarbose and miglitol).

In any case, before taking enzymes, you should consult a physician or gastroenterologist.

The cost of drugs

The difference in the price of drugs can be seen on the example of packing 50 capsules / tablets of a drug in 10,000 units.

The cost of Creon, on average, is 635 rubles, and Hermital with the same parameters - 380 rubles per pack.

However, it should be remembered that the amount of active substance in the preparations varies. How many Creon capsules and Hermital tablets do you need per day? How much will the treatment cost?

On average, for treatment with Creon, you need 4-15 capsules per day, 10,000 each, which equals 40-150 thousand units per day.

Depending on the complexity of the situation and the diagnosis, the patient needs 2-4 capsules of Hermital 10,000 IU during each meal. Accordingly, it will be approximately 6-16 capsules per day (60,000-160000 U per day).

The average cost of a daily dose of Creon is 50.8 - 190.5 (rubles), and the Hermital will cost about 45.6-121.6 (rubles) per day.

Creon was more expensive. But this drug with a dosage of 40,000 contains the maximum amount of enzymes, which means that in cases requiring the fastest and most complete treatment, Creon is more appropriate.

In addition, the instructions for using the drugs Creon and Hermital do not show the exact doses and duration of the courses. Here everything will depend on the specifics of the disease in a particular patient and the doctor's prescriptions for complex treatment. For some, Creon will be better, and for others - Hermital.