Drug-Induced acute Pancreatitis: A Real-World Pharmacovigilance Study Using the Tunisian Databases

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Published Aug 1, 2025
https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v103i8.5888
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Vol. 103 No. 8 (2025): Tunis Med Aug 2025

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Hiba Ben Hassine
Department of Visceral Surgery, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0292-1463
Abir Lefi
Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital , Monastir, Faculty of pharmacology of monastir, University of Monastir , 5000, Monastir, Tunisia
Faiez Boughanmi
Department of Visceral Surgery, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia
Midani Touati
Department of Visceral Surgery, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia
Ibtissem Korbi
Department of Visceral Surgery, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia
Faouzi Noomen
Department of Visceral Surgery, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia

Abstract

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is acute inflammatory process of the pancreas, commonly attributed to biliary or alcoholic causes. Drug-induced AP, although rare, is increasingly recognized as a potential etiology. However, there is limited literature on this topic.


 Aim: This study aims to review the epidemiological, clinical, radiological, and management characteristics of drug-induced AP based on data from Tunisian databases.


Methods:  A retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Digestive and Visceral Surgery, spanning five years. Thirteen cases of drug-induced AP out of 1580 admitted patients with AP were analyzed. Data collection included clinical characteristics, diagnosis methods, therapeutic approaches, and outcomes.


Results: We report a series of 13 cases of drug-induced acute pancreatitis (AP). Due to the rarity of this event, our small sample size limits the statistical power of our findings. However, each case provides valuable insight into potential drug associations with AP.
 The mean age of affected patients was 55.62 years, with a male predominance (77%). Common symptoms included sudden onset epigastric abdominal pain (100% of cases) and elevated lipase levels (92.3%). Implicated medications included captopril (38.5%), atorvastatin (23.1%), azathioprine (23.1%), metformin, and olanzapine (7.7% each). Management involved pain management and proton pump inhibitors, with favorable outcomes in 84% of cases. 


Conclusion: Drug-induced pancreatitis is a recognized entity requiring multidisciplinary management. Early recognition and reporting of suspected cases are essential for improved pharmacovigilance.

Keywords:

Acute pancreatitis, drug-induced, epidemiology, management, Parent-reported outcomes

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Author Biographies

Abir Lefi, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital , Monastir, Faculty of pharmacology of monastir, University of Monastir , 5000, Monastir, Tunisia

University of MONASTIR , Faculty of pharmacology

of monastir, 5000, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital Monastir, Tunisia

Faiez Boughanmi, Department of Visceral Surgery, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia

general surgeon, University of MONASTIR , Faculty of Medicine

of monastir, 5000, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital, Department of Visceral Surgery, Monastir, Tunisia 

Midani Touati, Department of Visceral Surgery, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia

 general surgeon, University of MONASTIR , Faculty of Medicine

of monastir, 5000, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital, Department of Visceral Surgery, Monastir, Tunisia 

Ibtissem Korbi, Department of Visceral Surgery, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia

Ibtissem Korbi, general surgeon, University of MONASTIR , Faculty of Medicine

of monastir, 5000, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital, Department of Visceral Surgery, Monastir, Tunisia 

Faouzi Noomen, Department of Visceral Surgery, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia

Noomen general surgeon, University of MONASTIR , Faculty of Medicine

of monastir, 5000, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital, Department of Visceral Surgery, Monastir, Tunisia

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