Thiazide diuretics pancreatitis with

Several agents have been associated with producing acute pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas. The main causes are alcohol and a disturbance of the bile duct, which account for 50% of cases. Drugs with a clear association include sulfonamides, thiazide diuretics, tetracycline, azathioprine, estrogens, and valproic acid. The mechanism for the underlying injury is not well understood. Possible associations have been reported with other medications including methyldopa, procainamide, and 1-asparaginase. A relationship between cortico-steriods has not been established. 

Thiazides should be used cautiously in the presence of severe renal and hepatic disease, since azotemia and coma may result. The most important toxic effect associated with this class of diuretics is hypokalemia, which may result in muscular and central nervous system symptoms, as well as cardiac sensitization (see Hypokalemia). Periodic examination of serum electrolytes for possible imbalances is strongly recommended. Appropriate dietary and therapeutic measures for controlling hypokalemia are described later in this chapter. The thiazides also possess some diabetogenic potential, and although pancreatitis during thiazide therapy has been reported in a few cases, the major mechanism contributing to the potential for glucose intolerance is not known. 

Adverse effects are most commonly manifest as acute pancreatitis. The strongest association is with alcohol abuse. High plasma calcium, including that caused by hypervitaminosis D, and parenteral nutrition also increase the risk. Corticosteroids, didanosine, azathoipurine, diuretics (including thiazides and frusemide), sodium valproate, mesalazine and paracetamol (in overdose) have also been causally related. 

Like all diuretics, the thiazides can cause electrolyte abnormalities, such as hypokalemia and hyponatremia, and dehydration. These complications are uncommon in patients with uncomplicated hypertension, but are more common in patients with heart failure or decompensated hepatic cirrhosis with secondary hyperaldosteronism. Until a patient is accustomed to the effect of a diuretic, dizziness may be experienced. Serum lipid concentrations are slightly raised acutely and hyperglycemia can occur during long-term therapy. Rare effects are thrombocytopenia, rashes, drug fever, cholestatic jaundice, pancreatitis, and precipitation of hepatic... 

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