Severe hypertriglyceridemia secondary to venlafaxine and fluoxetine

Hypertriglyceridemia-Associated Drug-Induced Acute Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of our study was to investigate the cases of drug-induced acute pancreatitis (DIAP) with hypertriglyceridemia as the mechanism of injury.

METHODS

A MEDLINE search (1963-2018) of the English language literature was performed looking for all human case reports of adults (>18 years old) with hypertriglyceridemia as the mechanism of DIAP. The latest search date was February 28, 2018. Drugs were classified into probability groups based on a classification used by Badalov et al (Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2007;5:648-661).

RESULTS

The search revealed a total of 76 cases in 59 published reports. A total of 25 medications were found to be implicated in DIAP secondary to hypertriglyceridemia mechanism. Most of acute pancreatitis cases were mild or moderately severe with favorable outcomes. In 3 cases involving tamoxifen, pagaspargase, and quetiapine, patient death was the outcome. Plasmapheresis was only used in 9 cases in an effort to decrease triglyceride levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypertriglyceridemia-associated DIAP is a rare phenomenon, and the current systematic review provides a summary of drugs that have been implicated in this phenomenon, which allow physicians to be oriented about this adverse effect when these drugs are used.

Severe hypertriglyceridemia secondary to venlafaxine use in an older adult on dialysis -case report

BACKGROUND

Although the prescribing information for Venlafaxine extended release includes a discussion about possible increases in total cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) seen in healthier adult patients during premarketing clinical trials, no post-marketing studies or case reports, that discuss the effects of venlafaxine on TG in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a 71 year-old male patient with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis, with a history of coronary artery disease, mild hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. This patient twice demonstrated the severe rises in triglycerides while taking the antidepressant, i.e., venlafaxine, and discontinuing the long-term use of fenofirate. The adverse drug reaction sub-committee at the hospital rated the second event as a "probable reaction" using the Naranjo nomogram, accordingly.

CONCLUSIONS

This case demonstrates the risk of changes in lipid profiles while taking venlafaxine and receiving on and off fenofibrate therapy in the older adult patient with chronic kidney disease and under hemodialysis. Regular monitoring for lipid changes after starting venlafaxine is strongly advised for patients with existing risk factors.

Eruptive xanthomas masquerading as molluscum contagiosum

Eruptive xanthomas are cutaneous manifestations of hyperlipidemias in which lipids accumulate in large foam cells within the skin. They classically present as crops of 1- to 4-mm yellow-orange papules and are often associated with extreme hypertriglyceridemia. We describe a 12-year-old boy with autism who was thought to have widespread molluscum contagiosum for a year before dermatologic consultation was obtained. Recognition of eruptive xanthomas led to the discovery of massive hypertriglyceridemia (serum triglycerides 6853 mg/dL) and diabetes mellitus. Through medical intervention, including insulin and fenofibrate therapy, and dietary modification with weight loss, the xanthomas cleared during the subsequent months, and his serum triglyceride levels nearly normalized.

Plasma exchange in the management of a case of hypertriglyceridaemic pancreatitis triggered by venlafaxine

The authors present a case of a young, non-diabetic Caucasian male patient with long-standing depression who had recently been started on venlafaxine. He presented to the emergency department with central abdominal pain, drowsiness and vomiting with a raised serum amylase. He was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis (AP) that was confirmed following an abdominal ultrasound and CT. His initial biochemistry was immeasurable in the first 12 h of admission due to macroscopically visible hyperlipidaemia. In the absence of any other causes of AP, hyperlipidaemia was the most likely aetiology. He was transferred to the intensive care unit where he was managed by lipidic restriction, fluid resuscitation and 3 consecutive days of plasma exchange. Plasma triglyceride levels were reduced from 42.9 to 2.4 mmol/l following plasma exchange. He made a full recovery and at discharge was investigated for familial hypertriglyceridaemia and referred to a multi-disciplinary team for follow-up. His venlafaxine was stopped on admission.

Hypertriglyceridemia, acute pancreatitis, and diabetic ketoacidosis possibly associated with mirtazapine therapy: a case report

A 44-year-old woman with a history of major depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder was prescribed mirtazapine. She came to the emergency department approximately 2 months after starting therapy; severe hypertriglyceridemia, acute pancreatitis, and diabetic ketoacidosis were diagnosed. Although these adverse effects have been reported in early clinical trials, we found only three published cases of subclinical pancreatitis possibly associated with mirtazapine therapy. We suspect that mirtazapine-associated hypertriglyceridemia had contributed to the development of acute pancreatitis and diabetic ketoacidosis in our patient. All these problems resolved with supportive care and discontinuation of mirtazapine. Her serum amylase, lipase, and lipid levels were normal 2 months after the acute event occurred. Health care providers should be aware of these possible adverse effects. Serum glucose and triglyceride levels should be measured at baseline and monitored regularly thereafter in all patients receiving mirtazapine therapy.