Simvastatin-induced meralgia paresthetica

J Am Board Fam Med. 2011 Jul-Aug;24(4):469-73. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2011.04.100229.

Abstract

3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) cause mainly muscular adverse effects. During the last 20 years there has been solid evidence of peripheral neuropathy caused by statins, with a risk of one in 10,000 patients treated for 1 year. Meralgia paresthetica is an entrapment neuropathy occasionally encountered by primary care physicians. To date there has been no report of entrapment neuropathy that could have been caused or aggravated by statins. This case report presents meralgia paresthetica aggravated by simvastatin use that disappeared after simvastatin cessation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anticholesteremic Agents / adverse effects
  • Femoral Neuropathy
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Compression Syndromes / chemically induced*
  • Nerve Compression Syndromes / diagnosis
  • Simvastatin / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Simvastatin