Gallstones

Alcohol use

Drugs such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, azathioprine, furosemide, 6-mercaptopurine, pentamidine, sulfa drugs, and valproate

Estrogen use in women with high levels of lipids in the blood

High levels of calcium in the blood (which may be caused by hyperparathyroidism)

Viruses such as mumps, coxsackie B virus, hepatitis A and hepatitis E, and cytomegalovirus

High levels of triglycerides in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia)

Damage to the pancreas caused by surgery or endoscopy (such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography [ERCP])

Damage to the pancreas caused by blunt or penetrating injuries

Cancer of the pancreas, or other blockages of the pancreatic duct

Hereditary pancreatitis, including a small percentage of people with cystic fibrosis or cystic fibrosis genes

Cigarette smoking

Kidney transplantation

Pregnancy (rare)

Tropical pancreatitis