Abstract

A RARE CASE OF ATORVASTATIN-INDUCED PANCREATITIS

*Dr. Ritu Modi, Dr. Honshil Parikh, Dr. Bhavesh Vyas and Dr. Yash Panchal

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Abstract

Atorvastatin is a highly efficacious and most commonly used statin drug for patients with dyslipidemia. Its common side effects are Nausea, vomiting, headache, and muscle aches. Pancreatitis is an uncommon or rare adverse reaction seen with atorvastatin. A 56-yearold male patient presented with complaints of abdominal pain and vomiting with no history of any past abdominal surgery or trauma. No Comorbidities were present. He was not an alcoholic and did not have a significant family history of pancreatitis. He was diagnosed 2 months back with dyslipidemia by altered lipid profile measures and was put on atorvastatin 20 mg OD. His vitals were normal. Blood investigations were suggestive of pancreatic disturbance. Thus, his USG abdomen and CECT abdomen were done which confirmed the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Atorvastatin was suspected as the cause and was discontinued. The patient was admitted and treated symptomatically. The patient showed recovery in 5 days and was discharged. Rosuvastatin 20 mg OD was started as an alternative. On his one-week follow up all tests were within normal limits. There is no chance of drug interaction in this case because the patient was on atorvastatin monotherapy, and this mechanism for Acute Pancreatitis may be suspected to be ruled out, but more studies are needed to confirm this causal association. This case study adds to the evidence that statins can induce pancreatitis. There is a need for continuing reporting of such a rare atorvastatin adverse effect in order to raise awareness and manage and avoid it.

Keywords: Adverse drug reaction, Atorvastatin, Pancreatitis, Statins.