Atorvastatin induced multiple organ failure
Kandavar, R.; Sander, G.E.
Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society Official Organ of the Louisiana State Medical Society 162(3): 159-160
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 0024-6921 PMID: 20666169 Document Number: 641686
A 71-year-old African American woman presented with a past medical history significant for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. She was being treated with atorvastatin and verapamil in addition to a few other medications. She complained of nausea, vomiting, myalgia, generalized weakness and dark urine. Initial evaluation revealed clinical icterus and mild mental confusion. Admission laboratory results showed features of multiple organ dysfunction. Over the course of four to five days the patient deteriorated to multiple organ failure resulting in death. Extensive work up for the etiology for multiple organ failure was noncontributory. We presume the cause for multiple organ failure could be the result of drug-drug interaction, atorvastatin and verapamil, as verapamil is known to increase the serum concentration of atorvastatin significantly.