HYPOCHOLESTEROLEMIA SECONDARY TO ATROVASTATIN THERAPY
Abstract
After the advent of Statins in 1960’s, they are being extensively used as Antiathrogenic drug forPrimary Hyperlipidemia, Angina, Ischemic Heart Disease (Medical or Post Surgical), Atherosclerosis,Diabetes mellitus and Hypertension. Rarely, these drugs have been observed to causehypocholesterolemia. We present a case of forty years old male who was started on Atorvastatin afterhis angioplasty following anterior myocardial infarction. Six weeks after the start of antilipid drugpatient developed symptoms of phobias, nightmares, insomnia, forgetfulness, body aches, musclecramps, cognitive, sexual and psychomotor disturbances. On investigation he was found to havehypocholesterolemia. Atorvastatin was stopped and dietary restrictrictions were lifted. Over five monthpatients symptoms resolved as the serum cholesterol levels became normal. Because of similarities ofsymptoms of hypocholesterolemia secondary to antilipid therapy and the disease itself,hypocholesterolemia was overlooked initially by physicians. Patients on antilipids must be evaluatedfor any fall in serum cholerterol if they develop unusual symptoms and patients on long term antilipidsmust have regularly lipid profile checked.Keywords: Hypocholesterolemia, Statins, Fiberates, HMG-CoA reductase, VLDL, HDL,Triglycerides, LPLReferences
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