Tetracycline-induced pancreatitis.

Tetracycline has long been implicated as a causative agent in acute pancreatitis. Early reports of acute pancreatitis after tetracycline administration were associated with liver dysfunction attributed to the drug's ability to induce fatty degeneration of this organ. At present, few data are available to suggest that tetracycline-induced pancreatitis may occur in the absence of overt liver failure. We report here, the third and fourth cases of acute pancreatitis after the administration of oral tetracycline in patients without evidence of liver abnormalities. A review of the relevant literature is presented.