Fatal rhabdomyolysis caused by lipid-lowering therapy.
Treatment of hypercholesterolemia has been shown to reduce mortality in patients with coronary artery disease. Patients with severe lipid abnormalities may require high-dose statin therapy, at times used in combination with additional agents. We report a case of fatal rhabdomyolysis caused by the combination of simvastatin and gemfibrozil. Clinicians should be aware of risk factors for rhabdomyolysis, which include underlying renal insufficiency, high-dose statin therapy, and combination therapy with a fibrate.
Federman
D G
DG
Department of Medicine and the Pharmacy Service, VA Connecticut Health Care System, West Haven, CT 06516, USA.
Hussain
F
F
Walters
A B
AB
D000368:Aged; D004347:Drug Interactions; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D015248:Gemfibrozil / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000009:adverse effects*
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D019821:Simvastatin; D015248:Gemfibrozil