Question Details

Pancreatitis can be produced by the following drug

Options

A

Ciprofloxacin

B

Nalidixic acid

C

Colchicine

D

L-Asparaginase

Correct Answer :

L-Asparaginase

Solution :

The correct option is L-Asparaginase.

Step-by-Step Explanation:

L-Asparaginase is an enzyme chemotherapy drug primarily used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It works by breaking down the amino acid L-asparagine into aspartic acid and ammonia, depriving leukemia cells (which cannot synthesize their own L-asparagine) of this vital nutrient.
One of the well-documented and severe side effects of L-Asparaginase therapy is acute pancreatitis. The mechanism is believed to be related to the systemic inhibition of protein synthesis (due to L-asparagine depletion), which particularly affects organs with high protein turnover like the pancreas. This leads to cell injury, enzyme retention, and subsequent pancreatic inflammation.

Let's look at the other options to understand why they are less associated with pancreatitis:
1. Ciprofloxacin: A fluoroquinolone antibiotic. While drug-induced pancreatitis is a rare reported adverse event for many drugs, it is not a classic or high-frequency adverse effect associated with ciprofloxacin.
2. Nalidixic acid: A first-generation quinolone antibiotic. It is primarily known for side effects related to the gastrointestinal tract, skin, and central nervous system, but not classic pancreatitis.
3. Colchicine: Used for gout, its main toxicity is gastrointestinal (diarrhea, vomiting) and, at high doses, bone marrow suppression, but it is not a classic cause of drug-induced pancreatitis.

Therefore, L-Asparaginase is the drug among the choices that is classically and strongly associated with producing pancreatitis.

Unlock Our Free Library

Access expert-curated educational resources and study materials—completely free.