# A Common Medication With a Rare Side Effect: A Case Report of Statin-Induced Necrotizing Autoimmune Myopathy

## TL;DR

A woman developed a rare muscle disease after taking a common cholesterol-lowering drug.

## Contribution

This case report highlights statin-induced necrotizing autoimmune myopathy as a rare but serious side effect.

## Key findings

- A middle-aged woman on atorvastatin developed severe muscle symptoms and elevated creatine kinase.
- She was diagnosed with statin-induced necrotizing autoimmune myopathy.
- Autoantibodies were implicated in the development of the myopathy.

## Abstract

Statins are commonly used for their cholesterol-lowering properties and are prescribed for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Although they are generally well tolerated, some individuals may experience a rare and serious side effect in which autoantibodies develop and lead to a necrotizing myopathy. Here we present a case of a middle-aged woman chronically on atorvastatin for her hyperlipidemia who acutely developed myalgias, muscle weakness, and persistently elevated creatine kinase, who was eventually diagnosed with statin-induced necrotizing autoimmune myopathy.