SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-A Rare Case of Doxycycline-Induced Pancreatitis

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This case report describes a rare instance of doxycycline-induced acute pancreatitis in a 21-year-old woman treated with doxycycline for acne. Three days after starting the medication, she developed nausea and severe sharp epigastric pain radiating to the back. She was stable on presentation, but exam showed epigastric and left flank tenderness. Her lipase was markedly elevated at 11,561 U/L, and CT imaging showed acute interstitial edematous pancreatitis. Abdominal ultrasound found no gallstones.<br /><br />Common causes of pancreatitis were excluded, including alcohol use, gallstones, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercalcemia, infection, autoimmune disease, and trauma. With no other identified cause, doxycycline was considered the likely trigger and was discontinued.<br /><br />The discussion emphasizes that doxycycline is generally a safe, commonly used tetracycline antibiotic, but acute pancreatitis is a rare adverse effect with only a small number of cases reported. Drug-induced pancreatitis is difficult to diagnose because it presents like other forms of pancreatitis and has no unique clinical features. Reported mechanisms remain uncertain, though possible explanations include pancreatic duct constriction, cytotoxicity, and direct cellular injury.<br /><br />The authors highlight that antibiotic-associated pancreatitis may occur soon after starting therapy or after prolonged use, but this case is notable for its very early onset after only three days of doxycycline. The report underscores the importance of careful medication history and considering drug-induced pancreatitis in patients who develop gastrointestinal symptoms after beginning doxycycline.

Asset Subtitle

Hesham Elmariah

Meta Tag

Author List Ali Omar, Anand Shukla, Hesham Elmariah, Roma Patel, Sofia Dawson

Category Clinical Vignettes

Concept Doxycycline

Concept Drug-Induced Pancreatitis

Concept Acute Pancreatitis

Concept Medication History

Concept Lipase

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Mount Sinai Beth Israel

Presenting Author Hesham Elmariah

Track Adult

Keywords

doxycycline

acute pancreatitis

drug-induced pancreatitis

tetracycline antibiotic

epigastric pain

lipase elevation

acne treatment

case report

adverse drug reaction

gastrointestinal symptoms

Doxycycline

Drug-Induced Pancreatitis

Acute Pancreatitis

Medication History

Lipase