Generalized eczematous skin rash possibly due to HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.
We report on 3 patients who developed a generalized eczematous skin rash under treatment with simvastatin and pravastatin for hypercholesterolemia. These drugs are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors and suppress cholesterol synthesis in the liver. Based on experimental data from the literature that showed eczematous changes in mice treated topically with the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor lovastatin, we suspect that the rash observed in our patients may be a consequence of skin barrier dysfunction following inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis.
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.
M
M
Krasovec
P
P
Elsner
G
G
Burg
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000009:adverse effects; D019821:Simvastatin; D017443:Skin Diseases, Eczematous / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008148:Lovastatin; D019821:Simvastatin; D017035:Pravastatin