Drugs Associated With Pancreatitis. Several prescription medications have been associated with causing Pancreatitis. Studies have shown that atypical antipsychotic drugs including: Zyprexa, Risperdal, Seroquel and Geodon can cause Pancreatitis. These drugs have also been linked with another blood sugar disorder: hyperglycemia. Antipsychotics are commonly prescribed to treat patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. For more information […]
Drugs Associated With Pancreatitis. Several prescription medications have been associated with causing Pancreatitis. Studies have shown that atypical antipsychotic drugs including: Zyprexa, Risperdal, Seroquel and Geodon can cause Pancreatitis. These drugs have also been linked with another blood sugar disorder: hyperglycemia. Antipsychotics are commonly prescribed to treat patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. For more information on diabetes please read below.‘Pancreatitis’ is an inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and close to the duodenum. The duodenum is the upper part of the small intestine. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine through a tube called the pancreatic duct. These enzymes help digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in food. The pancreas also releases the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. These hormones help the body use the glucose it takes from food for energy.
Normally, digestive enzymes do not become active until they reach the small intestine, where they begin digesting food. But if these enzymes become active inside the pancreas, they start “digesting” the pancreas itself. Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly and lasts for a short period of time and usually resolves.
Acute pancreatitis usually begins with pain in the upper abdomen that may last for a few days. The pain may be severe and may become constant, just in the abdomen or it may reach to the back and other areas. It may be sudden and intense or begin as a mild pain that gets worse when food is eaten. Someone with acute ‘Pancreatitis’ often looks and feels very sick.
Other symptoms may include: swollen and tender abdomen, nausea, vomiting, fever, and rapid pulse.
Severe cases may cause dehydration and low blood pressure. The heart, lungs, or kidneys may fail. If bleeding occurs in the pancreas, shock and sometimes death follows.
If you or a loved one has taken Atypical antipsychotic drugs and been diagnosed with Pancreatitis, please fill out the form at the right for a free case evaluation by a qualified defective drug attorney or call us at 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).