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    Journal of Pharmacology and PharmacotherapeuticsNOW IN
    Article

    Tamoxifen‑induced hypertriglyceridemia causing acute pancreatitis

    Hemant Kumar Singh1★, Mahendranath S. Prasad1, Arun K. Kandasamy1, Kadambari Dharanipragada1★ Corresponding author

    1. 1Department of Surgery, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.

    CORRESPONDENCE

    Hemant Kumar Singh

    Department of Surgery, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.

    hemant7771@gmail.com

    Received: 18-02-2015; Revised: 05-07-2015; Accepted: 02-08-2015.

    Volume 7, Issue 1 · pp. 38–40 · PUBLISHED 2016 · DOI: 10.4103/0976-500X.179365

    View on J Pharmacol. Pharmacother. original site ↗

    ABSTRACT

    Tamoxifen has both antagonistic and agonistic tissue‑specific actions. It can have a paradoxical estrogenic effect on lipid metabolism resulting in elevated triglyceride and chylomicron levels. This can cause life‑threatening complications like acute pancreatitis. To our knowledge, very few cases of tamoxifen‑induced pancreatitis have been reported in the literature. We report a case of severe hypertriglyceridemia and acute pancreatitis following tamoxifen use. A 50‑year‑old diabetic lady was on tamoxifen (20mg/day) hormonal therapy for breast cancer. Within 3 months of starting therapy, she developed hypertriglyceridemia and acute pancreatitis. Laboratory values include: Serum amylase 778 IU/L, total cholesterol 785 mg/dL, triglycerides 4568 mg/dL and high‑density lipoproteins (HDL) 12 mg/dL. Tamoxifen was substituted with letrozole and atorvastatin started. There was a prompt reversal of the adverse effects. Effects on lipid profile must be considered while initiating tamoxifen in predisposed individuals as the consequences are life threatening.

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      Singh, H. K., Prasad, M. S., Kandasamy, A. K., & Dharanipragada, K. (2016). Tamoxifen‑induced hypertriglyceridemia causing acute pancreatitis. Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics, 7(1), 38–40. https://doi.org/10.4103/0976-500X.179365