title: Acute pancreatitis with saw palmetto use: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Saw palmetto is a phytotherapeutic agent commercially marketed for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Evidence suggests that saw palmetto is a safe product, and mild gastrointestinal adverse effects have been reported with its use. We report a case of acute pancreatitis, possibly secondary to the use of saw palmetto.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 61-year-old Caucasian man with a history of benign prostatic hyperplasia and gastroesophageal reflux disease developed epigastric pain associated with nausea 36 hours prior to presentation. He denied drinking alcohol prior to the development of his symptoms. His home medications included saw palmetto, lansoprazole and multivitamins. Laboratory results revealed elevated lipase and amylase levels. An abdominal ultrasound demonstrated a nondilated common bile duct, without choledocholithiasis. Computed tomography of his abdomen showed the pancreatic tail with peripancreatic inflammatory changes, consistent with acute pancreatitis. Our patient's condition improved with intravenous fluids and pain management. On the fourth day of hospitalization his pancreatic enzymes were within normal limits: he was discharged home and advised to avoid taking saw palmetto.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is our opinion that a relationship between saw palmetto and the onset of acute pancreatitis is plausible, and prescribers and users of saw palmetto should be alert to the possibility of such adverse reactions.
authors.affiliation: University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, St Vincent's Medical Center, 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut, 06606, USA. jbruminhent@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jackrapong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bruminhent
authors.forename: Perliveh
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carrera
authors.forename: Zhongzhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Amankona
authors.forename: Ingram M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Roberts