Rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyolysis is a condition that affects the muscles of the body. When this condition occurs, the muscle tissue is broken down, resulting in severe muscle pain and aches, tenderness and muscle weakness. One of the other key signs of this disorder is cola-colored or very dark urine, this is because this condition can eventually result in kidney failure and this change in the color of urine can be indication that the kidneys have been affected by it.

A discussion of the treatment(s), other than stopping the medication that could be causing it, is beyond the scope of this site. So without much ado, here is a list of drugs that can possibly can this condition:

Drugs That Can Cause Rhabdomyolysis

• Aminocaproic acid (Amicar)
• Amoxapine (Asendin)
• Amphotericin B (Amphotec)
• Antihistamines e.g. Diphenhydramine (Bendaryl), Doxylamine (Unisom)
• Aripiprazole (Abilify)
• Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
• Caffeine (No Doz, Vivarin)
• Clofibrate (Atromid-S)
• Cyclosporine (Gengraf)
• Dextroamphetmaine (Dexedrine)
• Escitalopram (Lexapro)
• Ezetimibe (Zetia)
• Ezetimibe + Simvastatin (Vytorin)
• Fenofibrate (Antara, Fenoglide, Lipofen, Lofibra, Tricor, Triglide)
• Fluvastatin (Lescol)
• Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
• Lovastatin (Mevacor)
• Neuroleptics e.g. Haloperidol (Haldol), Ziprasidone (Geodon)
• Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)
• Pravastatin (Pravachol)
• Propofol (Diprivan)
• Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
• Salicylates e.g. Aspirin (Bayer, Ecotrin)
• Simvastatin (Zocor)
• Theophylline

My doctor gave me six months to live, but when I couldn't pay
the bill he gave me six months more.
- Walter Matthau

Just as an aside, this side effect can also after traumatic events, excessive muscular activity (as in the cases of status asthmaticus, status epilepticus, severe dystonia, etc.), toxins such as carbon monoxide, toluene and certain snake and spider bites (e.g. the black widow spider), and it may also result from substance abuse. In particular, the following substances of abuse have been shown to cause this side effect:

• 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetmaine better known as Ecstasy or MDMA
• Amphetamine
• Barbiturates
• Cocaine
• Ethanol
• Ethylene glycol
• Heroin
• Isopropanol
• Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
• Methanol
• Phencyclidine (PCP)

An old-timer is one who remembers when the miracle
drugs of the day were castor oil and camphor.



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June 13, 2009

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