title: Rhabdomyolysis and renal failure associated with gemfibrozil monotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report a case of rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure associated with gemfibrozil monotherapy of hyperlipidemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 30-year-old white man with hypertension, type 1 diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia was hospitalized due to myalgias, nausea, and vomiting that began after he started working as a jackhammer operator 4 days previously. His medications were lisinopril, aspirin, insulin, and gemfibrozil. Creatine kinase and creatinine, which previously had been mildly elevated and normal, respectively, were markedly elevated, consistent with rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As of December 8, 2003, this is the only report of a patient with normal baseline creatinine level who developed rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure associated with gemfibrozil monotherapy. Strenuous exertion, hypovolemia, and lisinopril use may have contributed to the severity of illness. An objective causality assessment revealed that an adverse drug reaction to gemfibrozil was possible.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gemfibrozil monotherapy of hyperlipidemia may predispose to rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure. Patients using gemfibrozil should be cautioned regarding strenuous exertion, dehydration, and the need for prompt evaluation of myalgias.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-9160, USA. rlayne@hsc.wvu.edu
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Layne
authors.forename: Aasim S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Sehbai
authors.forename: Linda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Stark
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000328:Adult; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications; D015248:Gemfibrozil / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D003404:Creatinine; D015248:Gemfibrozil