A Complication of Statin Therapy: Atorvastatin-Induced Agranulocytosis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56147/jbhs.3.1.106Keywords:
- Atorvastatin side effects,
- Isolated neutropenia,
- Drug induced agranulocytosis
Abstract
We present a 70-year-old male with progressive generalized weakness and bilateral lower extremity pain found to have severe neutropenia, elevated serum creatine kinase, and elevated transaminases. The patient had recently started high dose atorvastatin for coronary artery disease and hyperlipidemia. Other potential causes of acute severe neutropenia were ruled out. All home medications were continued during the hospitalization except for atorvastatin. Within three days of atorvastatin discontinuation, the patient’s symptoms and laboratory abnormalities improved significantly. This case highlights the importance of considering statin-induced neutropenia in the differential diagnosis of acute neutropenia.
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