Statins and peripheral neuropathy

Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1999 Jan;54(11):835-8. doi: 10.1007/s002280050562.

Abstract

Within the past 3 years seven cases of reversible peripheral neuropathy apparently caused by statins have been reported. Here we report seven additional cases associated with long-term statin therapy, in which other causes of neuropathy were thoroughly excluded. The neuropathy was in all cases axonal and with affection of both thick and thin nerve fibers. The symptoms of neuropathy persisted during an observation period lasting from 10 weeks to 1 year in four cases after statin treatment had been withdrawn. We suggest that long-term statin treatment may be associated with chronic peripheral neuropathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / drug effects
  • Aged
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Cold Temperature
  • Female
  • Hot Temperature
  • Humans
  • Lovastatin / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neural Conduction / drug effects
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Lovastatin