An Unusual Culprit of Drug-Induced Pancreatitis

Excerpt

Acute pancreatitis is a potentially life-threatening condition and a common indication for hospitalization. Gallstones and alcohol account for the majority of cases, but various, less appreciated etiologies also exist. In recent years, medications have been increasingly recognized as an etiologic culprit for acute pancreatitis, though still only responsible for 0.1–2% of all cases [1]. Albeit very rare, case reports have also implicated homeopathic medications as potential causes of acute pancreatitis [2, 3]. Here we present the case of a 51-year-old man who experienced an episode of acute pancreatitis secondary to Sambucol, an extract of black elderberry (Sambucus mexicana) often used to treat flu-like symptoms and provide immunological benefits [4]. This represents, to our knowledge, the first case of black elderberry-induced acute pancreatitis and serves to illustrate the importance of maintaining a broad differential and taking a thorough history, including homeopathic and other alternative remedies, in patients presenting with acute pancreatitis of unclear etiology. …