Diuretics-Induced Acute Pancreatitis: Case Series with a Review of the Literature

Although diuretic-induced Acute Pancreatitis (AP) cases are typically mild to moderate, severe and potentially fatal occurrences can arise. Case Series and Literature Review: We have, herein, presented a series of diuretic-induced AP cases from March 2018 to February 2024 of a 54-year-old woman treated with chlorthalidone, a 45-year-old male treated with hydrochlorothiazide, and a 48-year-old male treated with frusemide. The literature search has identified 26 cases published to date, 10 from frusemide and 16 from thiazide diuretics. The Naranjo adverse reaction probability scale has categorized all three drugs as "probable". All cases have responded to conservative treatment and cessation of the offending drug. Various mechanisms, such as hypersensitization, ischemia, direct cytotoxic effects, hypercalcemia, and dose-dependent idiosyncrasy, have been found to lead to intrapancreatic activation of pancreatic enzymes, resulting in drug-induced AP.

Further research into the mechanisms and genetic factors contributing to diureticinduced AP is essential for enabling early diagnosis and management of diuretic-induced AP.