Selective serotonin uptake inhibitors and pancreatitis
Kvande, K.T.; Madsen, S.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 121(2): 177-178
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 11475194 Document Number: 527548
About 2% of all cases of pancreatitis are drug-induced. Several drugs cause pancreatitis, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Two Norwegian adverse drug event reports and a review of the international WHO adverse drug reactions database form the basis for this discussion. We found a total of 160 cases of pancreatitis associated with SSRIs. Our findings support the notion that SSRIs may trigger pancreatitis in rare cases. The course of the disease may be severe and even fatal. Physicians should be aware of the possibility that SSRIs may trigger pancreatitis. Patients taking SSRIs should be evaluated for pancreatitis if they report abdominal pain of unknown cause.