Reactions 870 - 22 Sep 2001

SRiluzole

Pancreatitis: case reportPancreatitis developed in a 40-year-old man during

treatment with riluzole 50mg twice daily for amyotrophiclateral sclerosis.

Three months after the man had started riluzole therapy, hepresented with a 7-day history of severe abdominal pain andvomiting. He was admitted to hospital and an examinationshowed severe epigastric tenderness. Laboratory testsrevealed the following levels: serum amylase 1195 U/L(normal ≤ 100); lipase 976 U/L (≤ 60); urine amylase 5517 U/L(32–640) and haemoglobin 12 g/dl. In addition, he had mildlyelevated AST and ALT levels and moderate leucocytosis.

Riluzole was discontinued and the man’s symptomsimproved over the next week. He was discharged on hospitalday 9.

Author comment: ‘Overall, 11 cases of pancreatitis possiblyassociated with riluzole have been reported up to December,1997, resulting in an estimated incidence of about 4.5/10,000treated patients, according to data reported to Rhone-Poulenc-Rourer. Therefore, riluzole should be added to the list ofmedications that potentially cause acute pancreatitis.’Rodrigo L, et al. Riluzole-induced acute pancreatitis. American Journal ofGastroenterology 96: 2268-2269, Jul 2001 - Spain 800871851

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Reactions 22 Sep 2001 No. 8700114-9954/10/0870-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved