Rhabdomyolysis associated with concomitant use of atorvastatin and cyclosporine.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a case of rhabdomyolysis in a cadaveric renal transplant (CRT) patient receiving atorvastatin and cyclosporine.


METHODS
A 40-year-old Asian woman with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presented with bilateral lower-extremity weakness and elevated concentrations of creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase after two months of concomitant therapy with atorvastatin and cyclosporine. Her other medications were not known to cause rhabdomyolysis; neither was there evidence of an SLE flare. After atorvastatin was discontinued, her CK concentrations declined dramatically and her symptoms resolved.


CONCLUSIONS
Rhabdomyolysis has been reported in patients treated with other 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors when used in combination with cyclosporine. Atorvastatin, a relatively new HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, has not been reported to cause rhabdomyolysis when used concomitantly with cyclosporine. However, its pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic properties make an interaction with cyclosporine possible.


CONCLUSIONS
Similar to other members of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor class, atorvastatin may interact with cyclosporine and potentially result in rhabdomyolysis. Clinicians should be aware of this possible drug interaction and carefully monitor patients receiving these two drugs concomitantly.
Maltz
H C
HC
College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, St. John's University, Jamaica, NY 43210, USA.
Balog
D L
DL
Cheigh
J S
JS
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002102:Cadaver; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008875:Middle Aged; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011758:Pyrroles; D016572:Cyclosporine; D000069059:Atorvastatin