H Qu1,2, M Guo1,3, N Kou1,2,4, H-T Wu1,2,4, Y Zhang1,2,4, Z-Y Gao1, D-Z Shi1,4. 1. China Heart Institute of Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. 2. Graduate School of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China. 3. Graduate School of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. 4. Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
Abstract
WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVES: Choosing an alternative statin is recommended when managing statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) and new hydrophilic statins are often suggested. We report on a case of statin-associated muscle damage that was successfully managed by simplifying the patient's combination therapy with simvastatin-ezetimibe to simvastatin alone. CASE SUMMARY: The patient experienced SAMS when he was successively treated with atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, Xuezhikang capsule and combined simvastatin/ezetimibe therapy. However, the patient tolerated simvastatin therapy well even at a dose of 40 mg/day. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Our case suggests that patients with SAMS who are intolerant to a wide variety of statins may be successfully managed with simvastatin monotherapy.
WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVES: Choosing an alternative statin is recommended when managing statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) and new hydrophilic statins are often suggested. We report on a case of statin-associated muscle damage that was successfully managed by simplifying the patient's combination therapy with simvastatin-ezetimibe to simvastatin alone. CASE SUMMARY: The patient experienced SAMS when he was successively treated with atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, Xuezhikang capsule and combined simvastatin/ezetimibe therapy. However, the patient tolerated simvastatin therapy well even at a dose of 40 mg/day. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Our case suggests that patients with SAMS who are intolerant to a wide variety of statins may be successfully managed with simvastatin monotherapy.