Interstitial lung disease with pleural effusion caused by simvastin

J Intern Med. 1996 Apr;239(4):361-3. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2796.1996.411762000.x.

Abstract

Simvastin, a HMG-CoA reductase blocker, is used for the treatment of certain forms of hypercholesterolaemia. Simvastin is prescribed to lower high serum levels of cholesterol by inhibiting a specific enzyme, hydroxy-methylglutarylCo-enzym-A (HMG-CoA) reductase. This ultimately leads to an increase of the number of LDL-receptors in the liver, and thus, to a decrease of the serum LDL-cholesterol. To a much lesser extent it lowers the serum VLDL-cholesterol and makes the serum HDL-cholesterol level rise. In general, this relatively new compound is well tolerated and only a few, mostly minor, adverse effects have been reported so far. We present a patient who developed interstitial lung disease with pleural effusion most probably as a result of the use of Simvastin.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anticholesteremic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors*
  • Lovastatin / adverse effects
  • Lovastatin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / chemically induced*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pleural Effusion / chemically induced*
  • Pleural Effusion / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiography
  • Simvastatin

Substances

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