Acute pancreatitis following orlistat therapy: report of two cases.
BACKGROUND
Orlistat is a pancreatic lipase inhibitor licensed for the treatment of obesity. As obesity rates increase and non-prescription dispensing of orlistat increases, an awareness of its adverse effects is of crucial importance as complications arise more frequently from increased use. Orlistat induced pancreatitis has been described only once previously, but without a diagnostic increase in serum amylase.


METHODS
We report the case of two patients who developed severe acute abdominal pain and elevated pancreatic enzymes at 2 and 10 days after starting orlistat. In one case no alterative precipitant was identified. In the other, a predisposing history of pancreatic injury was present. In both cases all other contributory causes were excluded.


CONCLUSIONS
Our reports suggest orlistat can trigger drug induced acute pancreatitis in certain patients. For patients presenting with abdominal pain soon after commencing orlistat, a diagnosis of pancreatitis must be considered. We also recommend cautious use of orlistat in patients at risk of pancreatic injury.
Ahmad
Faheem Asem
FA
Department of General Surgery, Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride, G75 8RG, United Kingdom. faheem.ahmad@hotmail.co.uk
Mahmud
Sajid
S
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy; D000077403:Orlistat; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000139:chemically induced*
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D007783:Lactones; D000077403:Orlistat