Pravastatin-associated myopathy. Report of a case

Recenti Prog Med. 1995 May;86(5):198-200.

Abstract

A case of acute inflammatory myopathy associated with the use of pravastatin, a new hydrophilic 3-hydroxy-3 methylglutaril coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, is reported. The patient, a 69-year-old man was affected by non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and hypertension. He assumed pravastatin (20 mg/day) because of hypercholesterolemia. He was admitted with acute myopathy of the lower limbs which resolved in a few days after pravastatin discontinuation. A previously unknown hypothyroidism, probably due to chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, was evidenced. Muscle biopsy (left gastrocnemius) revealed a perimysial and endomysial inflammatory infiltrate with a prevalence of CD4+ lymphocytes. While lovastatin and simvastatin have been associated with toxic myopathy, pravastatin-associated myopathy could represent a distinct, inflammatory entity.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Aged
  • Biopsy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications*
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia / complications
  • Hypercholesterolemia / drug therapy*
  • Hypertension / complications
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Muscular Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Myositis / chemically induced*
  • Pravastatin / adverse effects
  • Pravastatin / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Pravastatin