• Alcohol abuse. The amount needed to cause pancreatitis is not known. Alcohol tolerance varies from one person to another. Moderate consumption is considered no more than 2 alcoholic beverages a day for men and 1 a day for women and older people.
• A family history of pancreatitis.
• A high level of fat (triglycerides) in the blood.
• Gallstones. A small gallstone can move far enough into the bile duct to block the flow of pancreatic enzymes into the small intestine.
• Having cystic fibrosis.
• Smoking cigarettes.
• Structural problems of the pancreas or the bile and pancreatic ducts, especially a condition in which the pancreas is divided and has two main ducts (pancreas divisum).
• Taking certain medicines, including estrogen therapy and some antibiotics.

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