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Metronidazole-induced acute pancreatitis
W A Corey1, B N Doebbeling, K J DeJong
1Department of Internal Medicine and Research Service, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa.
Reviews of Infectious Diseases
|November 1, 1991
Summary
Metronidazole can cause acute pancreatitis, a rare but serious side effect. This case highlights the need to consider this medication as a potential cause, especially when other risk factors are absent.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Metronidazole is an antibiotic commonly used for anaerobic bacterial and protozoal infections.
- Acute pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, often presenting with severe abdominal pain.
Observation:
- A 63-year-old woman with Crohn's disease developed acute pancreatitis.
- The pancreatitis onset was temporally linked to the initiation of metronidazole therapy for a rectovaginal fistula.
Findings:
- This represents the fourth reported case of metronidazole-induced acute pancreatitis.
- No other identifiable risk factors for pancreatitis were present, suggesting metronidazole as the likely cause.
Implications:
- Metronidazole should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.
- Discontinuation of metronidazole may be necessary if no other cause is identified.