Liraglutide Causing Pancreatitis in an Indian Obese Female: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), is commonly prescribed for obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). While its metabolic benefits are well-established, rare cases of acute pancreatitis (AP) have raised concerns about drug safety. Despite regulatory warnings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA), causality remains debated due to confounding factors and limited human data.

We, herein, report the case of a 42-year-old Indian female with obesity (BMI 32.5 kg/m²) who developed acute-onset severe epigastric pain and vomiting three days prior to presentation. She had been using liraglutide 0.6 mg/day for one month for weight management. Laboratory investigations revealed significantly elevated serum amylase and lipase, while abdominal ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced CT scan confirmed acute interstitial edematous pancreatitis. No other common etiologies were identified. Prompt discontinuation of liraglutide and supportive care resulted in full clinical recovery within five days.

A systematic literature search yielded 10 relevant case reports encompassing 11 cases of liraglutide-induced acute pancreatitis, with our case bringing the total to 12. These cases showed a slight male predominance and favorable outcomes with conservative treatment. Our report thus highlights the need for clinician vigilance and risk-benefit assessment when prescribing liraglutide, emphasizing early drug cessation upon suspicion of pancreatitis.