Case Report
Copyright ©2005 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. May 28, 2005; 11(20): 3159-3160
Published online May 28, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i20.3159
Atorvastatin-induced severe gastric ulceration: A case report
Ihab I El-Hajj, Fadi H Mourad, Nina S Shabb, Kassem A Barada
Ihab I El-Hajj, Fadi H Mourad, Kassem A Barada, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), Beirut, Lebanon
Nina S Shabb, Department of Pathology, AUBMC, Beirut, Lebanon
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Kassem Barada, Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, PO Box, 113-6044, Hamra street, Beirut 110 32090, Lebanon. kb02@aub.edu.lb
Telephone: +961-1-350000 Fax: +961-1-370814
Received: June 24, 2004
Revised: June 25, 2004
Accepted: September 19, 2004
Published online: May 28, 2005
Abstract

A 41-year-old man presented with severe gastric ulceration 3 mo after beginning treatment with atorvastatin 20 mg once daily for hypercholesterolemia. The patient was not taking any ulcerogenic drugs and had no evidence of Helicobacter pylori infection. Proton pump inhibitor therapy was initiated and atorvastatin was replaced by simvastatin with complete resolution of gastrointestinal symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of atorvastatin-induced gastric ulceration, which should be looked for in patients who develop abdominal pain while on this drug.

Keywords: Atorvastatin; Drug toxicity; Gastric ulceration