Adverse drug reaction: rosuvastatin as a cause for ischaemic colitis in a 64-year-old woman

BMJ Case Rep. 2012 Jun 28:2012:bcr1120115270. doi: 10.1136/bcr.11.2011.5270.

Abstract

Rosuvastatin (Crestor, AstraZeneca) is a commonly used drug for managing hypercholesterolaemia. It is a very safe medication with mostly acceptable side effects. Rare but serious side effects are not well known. A 64-year-old woman presented with bloody diarrhoea after starting rosuvastatin for hypercholesterolaemia. Stool microscopy and culture ruled out infective causes. Abdominal CT scan revealed normal calibre celiac axis and superior mesenteric artery. Colonoscopic biopsy revealed ischaemic colitis as the final histological diagnosis. The patient is in complete remission after ceasing the medication. Rosuvastatin causing ischaemic colitis should be considered a rare but serious adverse drug reaction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Colitis, Ischemic / chemically induced*
  • Colitis, Ischemic / diagnosis
  • Female
  • Fluorobenzenes / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Hypercholesterolemia / drug therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Pyrimidines / adverse effects*
  • Rosuvastatin Calcium
  • Sulfonamides / adverse effects*
  • Withholding Treatment

Substances

  • Fluorobenzenes
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Pyrimidines
  • Sulfonamides
  • Rosuvastatin Calcium