Pancreatitis

Another potentially related condition is pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas. Although it has been proposed that high blood fats caused by protease inhibitors might cause pancreatitis, it now appears more likely that mitochondrial damage is responsible. Pancreatitis often occurs in conjunction with severe hyperlactataemia.1 Pancreatitis is most likely amongst patients taking ddI (didanosine, Videx / VidexEC). Heavy alcohol consumption is also a co-factor.

References

  1. Coghlan ME et al. Symptomatic lactic acidosis in hospitalized antiretroviral-treated patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection: a report of 12 cases. Clin Infect Dis 33: 1914-1921, 2001
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