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. 2009:2009:bcr05.2009.1875.
doi: 10.1136/bcr.05.2009.1875. Epub 2009 Sep 1.

Improvement in sleep apnoea associated with switch from simvastatin to pravastatin

Stephanie Cham  1 , Komaldeep Gill, Sabrina Koperski, Beatrice Alexandra Golomb
Affiliations

Improvement in sleep apnoea associated with switch from simvastatin to pravastatin

Stephanie Cham et al. BMJ Case Rep. 2009.

Abstract

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.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sleep tracing before and after switch from simvastatin to pravastatin. The obstructive apnoea index (OAI) became stably lower following the switch (p<0.001).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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