title: Pancreatitis induced by pegylated interferon alfa-2b in a patient affected by chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: A middle-aged man was admitted to the ED because of nausea and vomiting, abdominal distention and fainting. A blood analysis revealed high levels of serum amylase and lipase, confirming a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. The history showed that the patient had self-administered a single dose of pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin daily for 7 days for chronic hepatitis C. The medications were stopped and his condition gradually improved. In agreement with the literature and the Naranjo algorythm result, pegylated interferon alfa-2b is associated with acute pancreatitis. Identification of a few signs and symptoms is the first 'signal' in preventing a serious drug-induced adverse event.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. enrica.cecchi@unifi.it
authors.forename: Enrica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cecchi
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Forte
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cini
authors.forename: Grazia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Banchelli
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferlito
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mugelli
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012651:Self Medication / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b