Management of Hypertriglyceridemia-Induced Acute Pancreatitis in a Nondiabetic Patient

Treatment strategies for hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis are not well defined in the current literature or guidelines. One therapeutic option is an insulin infusion accompanied by a dextrose infusion to avoid hypoglycemia. The purpose of this case report is to highlight dosing considerations for dextrose infusions in nondiabetic patients. We describe a case of hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis in a 34-year-old nondiabetic woman treated with a reduced-dose insulin infusion that was complicated by hypoglycemic episodes requiring dextrose infusion titrations. Empirical initiation of a higher dextrose concentration infusion with glucose level titrations should be considered to avoid hypoglycemia for nondiabetic patients treated with an insulin infusion to lower triglyceride levels. In this case, clinical pharmacy assistance was imperative for successful treatment with a reduced-dose insulin infusion and titrated dextrose infusion in the management of hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis.