Atorvastatin induced thrombocytopenia: A case report and review of literature

• Main Authors: Saibal Moitra, Sukanta Sen, Prasanta Das, Indranil Banerjee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2016-01-01
• Series: Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil University
• Subjects: Adverse drug reaction; atorvastatin; causality assessment; drug-induced thrombocytopenia; statins
• Online Access: http://www.mjdrdypu.org/article.asp?issn=0975-2870;year=2016;volume=9;issue=1;spage=117;epage=120;aulast=Moitra
• ISSN: 0975-2870

A 65-year-old hypertensive male, with co-existing benign prostatic hyperplasia for last 5 years was on tab telmisartan 40 mg and tab tamsulosin 0.4 mg, both once daily. He was found dyslipidemic on a routine investigation and was put on tab atorvastatin 10 mg once daily. The patient developed a petechial rash and bleeding from gums within a week of starting atorvastatin, and his platelet count dropped to 15,000/cmm. Atorvastatin was suspected to be the offender as no other causes of thrombocytopenia could be implicated. Atorvastatin was discontinued and intravenous steroid and platelet transfusion given. Platelet count improved gradually and became normal after 10 days. Causality assessment as per the Naranjo algorithm revealed a "probable association" with atorvastatin therapy.