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Can pancreatitis be associated with amiodarone hepatotoxicity?
S V Sastri1, A A Diaz-Arias, J B Marshall
1Department of Medicine, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia.
Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
|February 1, 1990
Summary
Amiodarone, a heart medication, may cause liver damage and potentially pancreatitis. This case highlights the need to consider pancreatic issues in patients experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms while on amiodarone.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hepatology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Amiodarone is a widely used antiarrhythmic drug.
- Hepatotoxicity is a known side effect of amiodarone therapy.
- Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in patients with amiodarone hepatotoxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of a patient with amiodarone-induced liver failure.
- To investigate the potential for amiodarone-induced pancreatitis.
- To suggest a broader evaluation for amiodarone toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a patient with amiodarone toxicity.
- Clinical and laboratory evaluation of liver and pancreatic function.
- Review of existing literature on amiodarone side effects.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with classical features of amiodarone hepatotoxicity and died of liver failure.
- The patient also exhibited persistent mild to moderate elevations in serum and peritoneal fluid amylase and lipase.
- Pancreatitis has not been previously reported as an adverse effect of amiodarone.
Conclusions:
- Amiodarone may cause pancreatitis in addition to hepatotoxicity.
- Patients on amiodarone with gastrointestinal symptoms should be evaluated for both liver and pancreatic injury.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the pathogenesis of amiodarone-induced pancreatitis.