Linagliptin-related pancreatitis in a diabetic patient with biliary calculus: A case report

Mild Pancreatitis Induced by Linagliptin Revealed by a Medication Review

As dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors are becoming more utilized in the treatment of diabetes, it is important to recognize their side effects and become more familiar with them. As these side effects arise, physicians are more prepared to recognize and discontinue these medications. This case report describes a 34-year-old male who initially presented with a hemoglobin A1c greater than 16%. After titration of his diabetic medications, he presented with pancreatitis diagnosed by symptoms and imaging. Common causes of pancreatitis were ruled out, including biliary pathology, alcohol use, tobacco use, elevated calcium levels, and hypertriglyceridemia. The patient followed up in the clinic with persistent symptoms. A review of his medication list revealed pancreatitis as a side effect of linagliptin. After holding this medication, his symptoms improved over the course of a month.

Acute Pancreatitis Induced by Linagliptin: A Rare but Dangerous Side Effect

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) is a highly prevalent disease both in the United States and worldwide. Multiple treatment options are currently available, and several new groups of medications have been introduced over the last couple of decades. One of these groups is dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. These medications have side effects, some of which are severe and potentially life-threatening; however, some of their side effects have been underreported since they are relatively new. When prescribing these medications, it is essential to be cautious, especially with patients at an increased risk of developing an adverse effect. We present the case of a 57-year-old male who developed DPP-4 inhibitor-induced acute pancreatitis after the initiation of linagliptin. The patient did not have any apparent risk factors for pancreatitis as he did not drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes, his lipid panel was within normal limits, and he had a cholecystectomy five years prior. His linagliptin was held in the hospital and discontinued post-discharge, which led to the resolution of his symptoms.

LINAGLIPTIN-INDUCED PANCREATITIS

Objective

To report a case of linagliptin-induced acute pancreatitis and remind clinicians about risks with incretin-based drugs. Patients at risk for pancreatitis should be switched to another type of hypoglycemic treatment.

Methods

We present the case of a 74-year-old Latina who presented to the emergency department with sudden onset of epigastric pain radiating to her back. Medical history, physical exam, laboratory tests, and medical images were compatible with acute pancreatitis. Upon further investigation, common causes for her pathology were excluded. Ten weeks prior to presentation she had changed her medications for diabetes mellitus type 2 to linagliptin.

Results

Using the Naranjo algorithm of adverse drug reactions, we concluded that linagliptin was the most likely culprit.

Conclusion

Incretin-based drugs, including dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, have been shown to be relatively safe for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Since their introduction to the market, conflicting data regarding pancreatic side effects have been published, including a small risk of developing acute pancreatitis with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors like sitagliptin and saxagliptin. To date there has been only 1 case report associating linagliptin with acute pancreatitis in the English medical literature. Ours is the first case report in the United States associating linagliptin with acute pancreatitis. It is worth warning both patients and prescribers about this serious adverse effect, as it might affect the choice of antiglycemic agent.

Drug induced pancreatitis: A systematic review of case reports to determine potential drug associations

OBJECTIVE

A current assessment of case reports of possible drug-induced pancreatitis is needed. We systematically reviewed the case report literature to identify drugs with potential associations with acute pancreatitis and the burden of evidence supporting these associations.

METHODS

A protocol was developed a priori (PROSPERO CRD42017060473). We searched MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and additional sources to identify cases of drug-induced pancreatitis that met accepted diagnostic criteria of acute pancreatitis. Cases caused by multiple drugs or combination therapy were excluded. Established systematic review methods were used for screening and data extraction. A classification system for associated drugs was developed a priori based upon the number of cases, re-challenge, exclusion of non-drug causes of acute pancreatitis, and consistency of latency.

RESULTS

Seven-hundred and thirteen cases of potential drug-induced pancreatitis were identified, implicating 213 unique drugs. The evidence base was poor: exclusion of non-drug causes of acute pancreatitis was incomplete or poorly reported in all cases, 47% had at least one underlying condition predisposing to acute pancreatitis, and causality assessment was not conducted in 81%. Forty-five drugs (21%) were classified as having the highest level of evidence regarding their association with acute pancreatitis; causality was deemed to be probable or definite for 19 of these drugs (42%). Fifty-seven drugs (27%) had the lowest level of evidence regarding an association with acute pancreatitis, being implicated in single case reports, without exclusion of other causes of acute pancreatitis.

DISCUSSION

Much of the case report evidence upon which drug-induced pancreatitis associations are based is tenuous. A greater emphasis on exclusion of all non-drug causes of acute pancreatitis and on quality reporting would improve the evidence base. It should be recognized that reviews of case reports, are valuable scoping tools but have limited strength to establish drug-induced pancreatitis associations.

REGISTRATION

CRD42017060473.