Medication as a Cause of Acute Pancreatitis

Abstract

BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas characterized clinically by epigastric abdominal pain and elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes in the blood. Drug-induced pancreatitis has recently gained more attention and as a result, physicians are screening more frequently for medications as a cause of acute pancreatitis. CASE REPORT We report the case of a 74-year-old man with a significant past medical history for coronary artery disease, sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease who presented with epigastric pain radiating to the back. After a careful history was taken, it was found the patient recently started furosemide; therefore, a diagnosis of furosemide-induced acute pancreatitis was made. CONCLUSIONS Furosemide and other medications should be strongly considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with acute pancreatitis.