Acute cholestatic hepatitis during simvastatin administration.
Simvastatin, recently introduced in clinical practice for pharmacological treatment of hypercholesterolemia, has been found to cause minor and reversible elevations of serum transaminases. We report a case of acute cholestatic hepatitis during simvastatin therapy. Clinical, biochemical, immunological, and histological findings were consistent with a simvastatin-induced liver damage through an immunological-mediated mechanism. This case suggests a careful monitoring of liver function tests during simvastatin therapy, and caution in continuing simvastatin administration when elevations of serum transaminases take place.
Ballaré
M
M
Divisione di Medicina generale II, Ospedale Maggiore, Novara.
Campanini
M
M
Catania
E
E
Bordin
G
G
Zaccala
G
G
Monteverde
A
A
D000208:Acute Disease; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019821:Simvastatin
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008148:Lovastatin; D019821:Simvastatin