Unusual Response of HDL-Chol Level and Body Weight to Atorvastatin: A Case Report.

Atorvastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor that is prescribed to prevent adverse cardiovascular events by reducing blood total cholesterol (Chol) and LDL-Chol. Here we report a case related to an unusual response of HDL-Chol upon the administration of atorvastatin following an acute myocardial infarction. While atorvastatin substantially reduced LDL and triglycerides (TAG) of the patient as desired, it also lowered the HDL significantly, and in a dose-dependent manner. It is widely known that statins have several major side effects, but a significant suppression on HDL has been rarely reported so far. In addition, atorvastatin is deemed the likely cause for unintentional weight loss of this subject.