Creon & Cotazym Shortage in Canada: Pancreatic Enzymes Status
Quick answer
Pancreatic enzyme capsules in Canada — Creon (BGP Pharma) and Cotazym (Organon) — have had overlapping shortage reports in 2026, with manufacturers citing manufacturing disruption, higher demand, and a shortage of the active ingredient, and some estimates running into early 2027. Check the live status above for your exact product and strength. Don't cut back on enzymes with meals on your own — talk to your pharmacist and prescriber about which strength or brand can cover you.
What Creon and Cotazym are
Creon and Cotazym are pancreatic enzyme replacement products (pancrelipase — a mix of lipase, protease, and amylase). They're taken with meals by people whose pancreas doesn't make enough digestive enzymes, including people with cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, or after pancreatic surgery. Strengths are named by their lipase content — Creon 10 and Creon 25, Cotazym ECS 8 and ECS 20, for example.
Both brands at once is the problem
Canada has very few pancreatic enzyme products, and there are no generics in the usual sense. When Creon and Cotazym strengths are short at the same time, there's little room to switch. Reports in 2026 have covered Creon 25, the original Cotazym, and Cotazym ECS 20 and ECS 8. The live cards at the top of this page show which are short right now.
Estimated dates can move
Some of these reports carry estimated resolution dates months away. Those are the manufacturer's own forecast, not a promise, and they often shift. Here's how reliable they tend to be.
Changing strength or brand
Enzyme doses are based on lipase units per meal and per kilogram of body weight, so moving from one strength to another (for example, two Creon 10 capsules instead of one Creon 25) changes how many capsules you take, and moving between brands isn't always unit-for-unit. Work out any change with your pharmacist or prescriber — and with your CF or GI clinic if you have one — so the total lipase per meal stays right.
Don't ration your enzymes
Skipping enzymes or taking fewer with meals leads quickly to poor digestion, weight loss, and stomach symptoms. If you're running low, contact your pharmacy now rather than stretching what you have — they may be able to find stock at another location or suggest an available strength.
Get notified
Open your product's page on MedShort and use “Notify me” to get an email when its shortage status changes.
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Latest Canadian Shortage Updates
Sources
Guide text last reviewed September 26, 2026; the shortage status shown above is pulled from Health Canada's data and refreshed hourly. MedShort.ca is an independent tracking tool and does not provide medical advice.