Case Report

Volume: 6 | Issue: 2 | Published: Feb 28, 2022 | Pages: 39 - 42 | DOI: 10.24911/ejmcr/173-1633552787

Mepolizumab-associated acute pancreatitis: a case report


Authors: Fiore Casale , Irum Jan


Article Info

Authors

Fiore Casale

University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA

Irum Jan

University of New Mexico, Department of Internal Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA.

Publication History

Received: October 11, 2021

Revised: November 30, 2021

Accepted: December 18, 2021

Published: February 28, 2022


Abstract


Background: Drug hypersensitivity reactions commonly generate systemic syndromes but can also affect specific organs. Mepolizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-5, is a safe and effective Food and Drug Administration-approved biologic therapy for severe eosinophilic asthma. Case Presentation: A 49-year-old female developed acute pancreatitis complicated by acute hypoxic respiratory failure secondary to fluid overload. Following 72 hours of intravenous fluids and analgesic administration, an urticarial rash developed on the patient's trunk, raising concern for a drug-related exanthem. After medication reconciliation, it was deemed that she had a hypersensitivity reaction to mepolizumab. Conclusion: In several clinical trials, mepolizumab demonstrated few hypersensitivity reactions. This patient presentation highlights the importance of strong clinical suspicion for drug hypersensitivities, especially in patients failing to respond to the standard of care for common medical conditions.

Keywords: allergy, hypersensitivity, mepolizumab, pancreatitis, DRESS, green