Atorvastatin-Induced Necrotizing Myopathy and its Response to Combination Therapy

Atorvastatin is the most commonly used statin medication to decrease cholesterol levels and prevent atherosclerosis. Myopathy is a reported side effect of atorvastatin which can happen even after more than six months after starting the medication. The side effect on the muscle tissue can range from...

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Published inCurēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 13; no. 1; p. e12957
Main Authors Boppana, Sri Harsha, Syed, Hasan A, Antwi-Amoabeng, Daniel, Reddy, Prahlad, Gullapalli, Nageshwara
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Cureus 28.01.2021
Subjects
Allergy/Immunology
Internal Medicine
Rheumatology
myopathy
atorvastatin
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Summary:Atorvastatin is the most commonly used statin medication to decrease cholesterol levels and prevent atherosclerosis. Myopathy is a reported side effect of atorvastatin which can happen even after more than six months after starting the medication. The side effect on the muscle tissue can range from simple reversible myalgia to respiratory muscle compromise. Here we present a 46-year-old male who presented with myopathy after taking atorvastatin for two years. Biopsy proved immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy which responded to a combination of Rituximab and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.
ISSN:2168-8184
2168-8184
DOI:10.7759/cureus.12957