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Metronidazole-induced pancreatitis.
A Celifarco1, C Warschauer, R Burakoff
1Division of Gastroenterology, Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, New York.
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
|August 1, 1989
Summary
Metronidazole, an antibiotic, may cause acute pancreatitis, a rare but serious condition. This case highlights the importance of considering drug-induced pancreatitis when symptoms arise.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Metronidazole is a widely used antibiotic for various infections.
- Acute pancreatitis is a serious inflammation of the pancreas.
- Drug-induced pancreatitis is a known but often underdiagnosed complication.
Observation:
- A 22-year-old female developed acute pancreatitis during metronidazole treatment.
- Pancreatitis recurred upon inadvertent re-exposure to metronidazole.
- Other common causes of pancreatitis were ruled out.
Findings:
- This case represents one of the few documented instances of metronidazole-induced pancreatitis in medical literature.
- The patient's pancreatitis resolved after discontinuing metronidazole.
- Potential mechanisms for metronidazole toxicity on the pancreas are discussed.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider metronidazole as a potential cause of acute pancreatitis.
- Discontinuation of metronidazole is recommended if pancreatitis is suspected and other causes are excluded.
- Further investigation into metronidazole's pancreatic toxicity may be warranted.