Open AccessImprovement in sleep apnoea associated with switch from simvastatin to pravastatin
Author(s) -
Stephanie Cham,
Komaldeep Gill,
Sabrina Koperski,
Beatrice A. Golomb
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr.05.2009.1875
Subject(s) - pravastatin , medicine , simvastatin , sleep (system call) , placebo , adverse effect , zolpidem , anesthesia , pharmacology , pathology , cholesterol , alternative medicine , computer science , operating system , insomnia
Sleep problems have been reported as an adverse effect of statins. In a randomised trial, simvastatin at 20 mg produced significantly worse sleep quality than either placebo or pravastatin 40 mg. A possible relation to sleep apnoea was hypothesised. Here, the case of a 67-year-old man who experienced sleep apnoea on simvastatin 20 mg is presented. Objective nightly testing showed a prompt, marked, sustained and statistically significant improvement in the obstructive apnoea index when the patient switched to pravastatin 20 mg.