Journal List > J Korean Endocr Soc > v.22(5) > 1003393

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Park, Won, Ahn, Lee, Kim, Lee, Ko, and Rhee: A Case of Acute Pancreatitis and Severe Hypertriglyceridemia Associated with Clozapine
Case Report
Journal of Korean Endocrine Society

Journal of Korean Endocrine Society 2007; 22(5): 381-385.

Published online: 20 October 2007

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3803/jkes.2007.22.5.381

A Case of Acute Pancreatitis and Severe Hypertriglyceridemia Associated with Clozapine

Hye Kyeong Park, Hye Jin Won, Hyo Seung Ahn, Ban Suk Lee, Seung Gu Kim, Woo Je Lee, Kyung Soo Ko, Byoung Doo Rhee,

Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University College of Medicine, Korea.

Received 22 August 2007       Accepted 18 September 2007

Copyright © 2007 Korean Endocrine Society

Abstract

Clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic agent, has been linked to several cases of acute pancreatitis and hypertriglyceridemia. However, neither acute pancreatitis nor hypertriglyceridemia associated with clozapine has yet been reported in the Republic of Korea. Based on recent experience, we report on a case of severe hypertriglyceridemia and acute pancreatitis associated with clozapine. A 37-year-old schizophrenic woman in good physical condition presented with abdominal pain of acute onset. She had been taking clozapine for 20 months to control her schizophrenia. On admission, her serum triglyceride level was 6,670 mg/dL. Elevated serum amylase and lipase levels, as well as abdominal computed tomography findings, were compatible with acute pancreatitis. After discontinuing the use of clozapine, the serum triglyceride level was normalized and acute pancreatitis resolved.

Keywords: Clozapine, Hypertriglyceridemia, Pancreatitis

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
Lipemic serum at admission. Turbid plasma layer appeared after leaving patient's serum in a refrigerator overnight.
jkes-22-381-g001
Fig. 2
Computed tomography (CT) findings. A. Initial abdominal CT shows multiple peripancreatic fat infiltration (arrows), pericolic fluid collection (arrow head), demonstrating CT grade E acute pancreatitis. B. Follow-up abdominal CT shows improvement of peripancreatic fat infiltration and fluid collection.
jkes-22-381-g002
Table 1
The change of laboratory profiles before and during clozapine use and follow-up
jkes-22-381-i001

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