Lipid-lowering agents and myopathy.
Each of the lipid-lowering agents available today can cause myopathy. The severity of the muscle disorder may vary from trivial myalgias or elevations of creatine kinase in asymptomatic individuals to rhabdomyolysis with myoglobinuria, renal failure, and death. Fortunately, significant myopathy occurs at a low rate. However, the large number of individuals taking these medications renders it a significant problem. Although the pathophysiology of the myopathy remains speculative, its occurrence appears to be dose related. Consequently, the total dosage of lipid-lowering drug consumed, the concomitant use of other medications that affect their blood levels, and the individual's specific drug-metabolizing enzyme profile may contribute to this toxicity.
Wortmann
Robert L
RL
Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Tulsa, 74135-2512, USA. robert-wortmann@ouhsc.edu
D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D052283:Creatine Kinase, MM Form; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008658:Inactivation, Metabolic; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000097:blood; D009120:Muscle Cramp / Q000209:etiology; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009220:Myositis / Q000209:etiology
D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D007527:Isoenzymes; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D052283:Creatine Kinase, MM Form