Drug-induced hypertriglyceridemia with and without pancreatitis

We describe two cases of drug-induced hypertriglyceridemia, one associated with interferon alfa-2b and the other with asparaginase, each of which is mediated through a different mechanism. Hypertriglyceridemia caused by these medications is not listed as an adverse reaction in the Physicians' Desk Reference, one of the most popular pharmacologic reference sources used in the United States. We emphasize the importance of early recognition of this metabolic effect and the potential life-threatening complication, acute pancreatitis.