title: Elevated pancreatic enzymes after extended propofol therapy.
abstract: Propofol is a sedative hypnotic agent often administered for intensive care sedation. A 28-year-old man who suffered a severe head injury developed elevated pancreatic enzymes after receiving extended high-dosage propofol therapy. Amylase and lipase values gradually reduced toward normal after the drug was discontinued. Possible propofol-induced pancreatitis was reported with short-term but not with prolonged therapy. A definitive cause-and-effect relationship is unclear since head trauma also was reported to cause elevated pancreatic enzymes. Intensive care practitioners should be aware of this potential reaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacotherapy, Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, Vermont 05401, USA.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Possidente
authors.forename: F B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Osler
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood*; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D003422:Critical Care; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008049:Lipase / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010179:Pancreas / Q000201:enzymology*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008049:Lipase; D000681:Amylases; D015742:Propofol