Acute cholestatic hepatitis during simvastatin administration

Recenti Prog Med. 1991 Apr;82(4):233-5.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology
  • Cholestasis / chemically induced
  • Cholestasis / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors*
  • Liver / pathology
  • Lovastatin / adverse effects
  • Lovastatin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Middle Aged
  • Simvastatin

Substances

  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Lovastatin
  • Simvastatin