Riluzole-induced recurrent pancreatitis.

Riluzole is the only drug approved for the treatment of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). It is well tolerated, being the most frequent adverse effects asthenia, nausea and reversible increase of liver enzymes levels. Severe adverse effects are extremely rare. We report for the first time, two patients with sporadic limb-onset ALS who developed recurrent acute pancreatitis (AP), with portal vein thrombosis as complication, during treatment with riluzole. We suggest that AP should be considered asa probable rare and severe side effect of treatment with riluzole in patients with ALS. We believe that in patients who develop AP during treatment with riluzole, its withdrawn may prevent recurrent AP and should be discussed with patients.