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Acute pancreatitis associated with liraglutide
Phillip H Lee1, M David Stockton, Andrea S Franks
1College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, TN, USA.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|April 14, 2011
Summary
This case report details a probable adverse drug reaction of acute pancreatitis in a patient treated with liraglutide. Clinicians should monitor for this rare side effect, especially in patients with a history of pancreatitis.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist used for type 2 diabetes management.
- Pancreatitis is a known, albeit rare, potential adverse effect associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists.
- Previous clinical trials reported cases of pancreatitis with liraglutide use.
Observation:
- A 60-year-old female with type 2 diabetes developed acute pancreatitis three weeks after switching from exenatide to liraglutide.
- The patient presented with severe mid-epigastric pain and elevated serum lipase levels.
- Liraglutide was discontinued, and standard pancreatitis treatment led to symptom resolution.
Findings:
- The Naranjo scale suggests a probable drug-induced adverse reaction.
- The temporal association between liraglutide initiation and symptom onset supports a causal link.
- This represents a postmarketing case of liraglutide-associated acute pancreatitis.
Implications:
- Liraglutide should be prescribed with caution in patients with a prior history of pancreatitis.
- Healthcare providers should maintain a high index of suspicion for liraglutide-induced pancreatitis.
- Early recognition and discontinuation of liraglutide are crucial for managing this rare adverse event.
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