The clinical importance of recognizing capecitabine-induced hypertriglyceridemia: A case report and review of the literature

This case report describes a patient who developed a mixed hyperlipidemia and severe hypertriglyceridemia (>20 mmol/L or 1772 mg/dL) while receiving capecitabine chemotherapy. After lipid-lowering treatment (statin and omega-3 acid ethyl esters) and completion of chemotherapy, her lipid levels had been significantly reduced. Other secondary causes of hyperlipidemia were also investigated. In view of the abnormal lipid results worsened by capecitabine, we suggest that careful lipid monitoring and thorough lipid management are important in such patients to avoid acute pancreatitis. •A case of severe hypertriglyceridemia after capecitabine treatment for colorectal cancer.•Patient had dyslipidemia and prediabetes mellitus before capecitabine treatment.•Statin and omega-3 acid ethyl esters treatment prevented acute pancreatitis.•Hypertriglyceridemia is a rare but important side effect of this drug.