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Anticonvulsant-induced chronic pancreatitis. A case report
R Pezzilli1, P Billi, R Melandri
1Servizio di Pronto Soccorso, Ospedale S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy.
The Italian Journal of Gastroenterology
|June 1, 1992
Summary
Long-term use of anticonvulsant drugs like carbamazepine and phenytoin may contribute to chronic calcified pancreatitis. This condition may arise from the drugs
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Epilepsy management often involves long-term anticonvulsant drug therapy.
- Carbamazepine and phenytoin are commonly prescribed anticonvulsants.
- Chronic pancreatitis is a debilitating gastrointestinal condition.
Observation:
- A young man with epilepsy developed chronic calcified pancreatitis.
- The pancreatitis emerged after a decade of carbamazepine and phenytoin treatment.
- This suggests a potential link between these anticonvulsants and pancreatitis.
Findings:
- Long-term anticonvulsant therapy, specifically with carbamazepine and phenytoin, may play a role in developing chronic pancreatitis.
- Chronic stimulation of cytochromes P-450 by these drugs is a potential mechanism.
- This case highlights a possible adverse drug reaction affecting the pancreas.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider the risk of pancreatitis in patients on long-term anticonvulsant therapy.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the exact mechanism and prevalence of this adverse effect.
- This finding may inform drug selection and monitoring protocols for epilepsy patients.