Semaglutide-Induced Acute Pancreatitis Leading to Death After Four Years of Use.

Dagher C, Jailani M, Akiki M, Siddique T, Saleh Z, Nadler E

Cureus19 Sept 2024Cited by 3 (Europe PMC)

PMID39429379PMCIDPMC11489890DOI10.7759/cureus.69704PepBankPUB-39429379

Summary

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are essential in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus, promoting glucose regulation, weight reduction, and cardiovascular protection. Here, we report a unique case of semaglutide-induced pancreatitis complicated by distributive shock and death after four years of use. A 74-year-old male with type 2 diabetes, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, and obesity (BMI 31.7) presented with severe epigastric pain and was diagnosed with severe pancreatitis. He reported no recent alcohol, drug use, or abdominal trauma. His workup showed normal triglyceride and calcium levels, and abdominal ultrasound was negative for gallstones or choledocholithiasis. He had been on semaglutide for four years, with a dose increase from 0.25 to 0.5 mg weekly about four weeks prior to admission, which was associated with worsening side effects such as severe nausea and constipation. He was admitted to the intensive care unit for severe pancreatitis, which was complicated by distributive shock requiring vasopressors, renal failure requiring continuous renal replacement therapy, Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requiring intubation, and subsequently, cardiac arrest. In this case, the patient developed severe acute pancreatitis leading to death after four years of GLP-1RA use, with a dose increase occurring four weeks prior to admission. The absence of typical risk factors suggests a potential link between long-term use and dose changes of GLP-1RAs and severe pancreatitis.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study4

4 results from studies that gave the peptide. 4 results from people.

01HumanCase report or seriesSafety outcome
In a 74-year-old man with type 2 diabetes, severe acute pancreatitis developed after four years of semaglutide use, with a dose increase four weeks before admission.
In plain wordsIn one 74-year-old man with type 2 diabetes, severe pancreatitis occurred after four years of semaglutide use. The report cannot prove semaglutide caused it.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
Not applicableAcute pancreatitis
Study
n = 1
Outcome group
Adverse events · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
0.25 mg then 0.5 mg weekly · four yearsAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Here, we report a unique case of semaglutide-induced pancreatitis complicated by distributive shock and death after four years of use.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this case, the patient developed severe acute pancreatitis leading to death after four years of GLP-1RA use, with a dose increase occurring four weeks prior to admission.
Summary · context
A 74-year-old male with type 2 diabetes, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, and obesity (BMI 31.7) presented with severe epigastric pain and was diagnosed with severe pancreatitis.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3942937901
02HumanCase report or seriesSafety outcome
In a 74-year-old man with type 2 diabetes, semaglutide-associated pancreatitis was complicated by distributive shock and death.
In plain wordsIn one man with type 2 diabetes, pancreatitis linked to semaglutide use ended in death.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
Not applicableDeath
Study
n = 1
Outcome group
Mortality · Whole body
Studied dose
0.25 mg then 0.5 mg weekly · four yearsAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Here, we report a unique case of semaglutide-induced pancreatitis complicated by distributive shock and death after four years of use.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A 74-year-old male with type 2 diabetes, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, and obesity (BMI 31.7) presented with severe epigastric pain and was diagnosed with severe pancreatitis.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3942937902
03HumanCase report or seriesSafety outcome
In the patient, pancreatitis was complicated by distributive shock needing vasopressors, renal failure needing renal replacement therapy, ARDS needing intubation, and cardiac arrest.
In plain wordsIn one man, pancreatitis was followed by shock, kidney failure, lung failure and cardiac arrest.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
Not applicableOrgan failure complications of pancreatitis
Study
n = 1
Outcome group
Adverse events · Whole body
Studied dose
0.25 mg then 0.5 mg weekly · four yearsAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
He was admitted to the intensive care unit for severe pancreatitis, which was complicated by distributive shock requiring vasopressors, renal failure requiring continuous renal replacement therapy, Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requiring intubation, and subsequently, cardiac arrest.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A 74-year-old male with type 2 diabetes, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, and obesity (BMI 31.7) presented with severe epigastric pain and was diagnosed with severe pancreatitis.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3942937903
04HumanCase report or seriesSafety outcome
In the patient, the semaglutide dose increase from 0.25 to 0.5 mg weekly was associated with worsening side effects such as severe nausea and constipation.
In plain wordsIn one man, severe nausea and constipation got worse after the semaglutide dose went up.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
Not applicableSevere nausea and constipation after dose increase
Study
n = 1
Outcome group
Gastrointestinal adverse events · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
0.25 mg then 0.5 mg weekly · four yearsAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
He had been on semaglutide for four years, with a dose increase from 0.25 to 0.5 mg weekly about four weeks prior to admission, which was associated with worsening side effects such as severe nausea and constipation.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A 74-year-old male with type 2 diabetes, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, and obesity (BMI 31.7) presented with severe epigastric pain and was diagnosed with severe pancreatitis.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3942937904

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Version history

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Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 00:04 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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