Quetiapine is associated with pancreatitis: A real-world pharmacovigilance study

Quetiapine, an atypical antipsychotic widely prescribed for conditions including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder has been associated with a potential risk of pancreatitis. This study aimed to quantify the association between quetiapine use and the occurrence of pancreatitis using data from the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System. Disproportionality analyses were conducted to evaluate the frequency of pancreatitis reports linked to quetiapine compared to other drugs in the FAERS database. The study identified a significant association between quetiapine and pancreatitis, with a proportional reporting ratio of 30.708, χ² of 81,328.63, relative risk ratio of 27.772, and reporting odds ratio of 32.990, indicating that the risk of pancreatitis is approximately 30 times higher in patients taking quetiapine compared to other medications. These findings suggest that quetiapine poses a considerable risk for the development of pancreatitis, particularly in patients with predisposing factors such as hypertriglyceridemia. This study emphasizes the need for physicians to exercise heightened caution when prescribing quetiapine. While this study provides strong evidence of an association, causality cannot be definitively established, highlighting the necessity for further research to explore the underlying mechanisms and to develop strategies to mitigate this risk.