Pleurisy and bilateral pleural effusions after administration of atorvastatin

Abstract

Atorvastatin is a widely used cholesterol-lowering agent. Although generally safe and well tolerated, a number of drug side effects have been reported. We report only the second case of atorvastatin-induced pleural effusions, presenting as pleurisy, and the first case from Ethiopia. We believe our patient had this association based on the temporal onset of symptoms, the otherwise negative evaluation, and the resolution of findings once atorvastatin was discontinued. Clinicians need to consider this relationship when evaluating unexplained pleurisy and pleural effusions in patients taking atorvastatin.