[A case of drug-induced pneumonia possibly associated with simvastatin]

Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai Zasshi. 2005 Oct;43(10):600-4.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

A 59-year-old woman was admitted because of general fatigue, cough and progressive dyspnea about 5 months after treatment with simvastatin for hyperlipidemia. A chest radiograph and computed tomography scans revealed ground glass and reticular opacities in the right middle and lower lung fields. The percentage of peripheral blood eosinophils was elevated. After simvastatin was discontinued and administration of prednisolone was started, eosinophilia and reticular shadows improved. Drug lymphocyte stimulation test (DLST) for simvastatin was positive, so we diagnosed drug induced eosinophilic pneumonia. Now hyperlipidemia is treated frequently with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, but there are few reports demonstrating lung injury by this drug. We should be aware of lung side effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Hyperlipidemias / drug therapy
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / chemically induced*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / diagnostic imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Simvastatin / adverse effects*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Simvastatin