title: Pancreatitis: a potential complication of liraglutide?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the evidence surrounding a potential association between liraglutide and pancreatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE (1948-July 12, 2012) and EMBASE (1974-week 27, 2012) using the search terms pancreatitis, liraglutide, and glucagon-like peptide 1/adverse effects. Reference citations from identified publications were reviewed. The manufacturer was contacted and regulatory documents from the Food and Drug Administration website were reviewed for unpublished data related to cases of pancreatitis associated with liraglutide use.
  
  
  METHODS
  All identified sources that were published in English were considered for inclusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven cases of pancreatitis have been reported in patients taking liraglutide. Seven were from the LEAD (Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes) studies, 1 was reported in the extension of a clinical trial, and 1 was in an unpublished obesity trial. Two were published postmarketing case reports. Nine of the cases reported were diagnosed as acute pancreatitis, while 2 were classified as chronic pancreatitis. The mean age of the patients was 57.5 years and mean body mass index was 33.92 kg/m(2). Six of the 11 cases occurred in male patients. Nine of the patients were white and 1 was African American. In 7 of the cases, onset occurred at liraglutide doses at or above 1.8 mg daily. Common comorbidities included history of pancreatitis, cholelithiasis, and diabetes. One case was fatal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pancreatitis is a potential complication with liraglutide therapy. Liraglutide should be used cautiously in patients at risk of pancreatitis (eg, alcohol abuse, history of pancreatitis, cholelithiasis).
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Knoxville, TN, USA. afranks@uthsc.edu
authors.forename: Andrea S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Franks
authors.forename: Phillip H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Christa M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: George
mesh_terms: D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000069450:Liraglutide; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D000069450:Liraglutide; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1