Article date: September 2004
By: L. De Graaf, A. H. P. M. Brouwers, W. L. Diemont, in Volume 58, Issue 3, pages 326-328
Aims and methods
To describe patients with decreased libido during use of a HMG‐CoA‐reductase‐inhibitor, and to discuss causality and pharmacological hypotheses for this association by analysis of the adverse drug reactions (ADR) database of the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb.
Results
Eight patients were identified as having decreased libido during use of statins. In two of these cases testosterone levels were determined and appeared to be decreased.
Conclusion
Decreased libido is a probable adverse drug reaction of HMG‐CoA‐reductase‐inhibitors and is reversible. The ADR may be caused by low serum testosterone levels, mainly due to intracellular cholesterol depletion.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2004.02128.x
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