Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and rhabdomyolysis after eccentric exercise.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this report was to review three cases of clinically significant rhabdomyolysis that developed in research subjects after completing an eccentric exercise protocol. All three cases occurred in subjects who reported use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).


METHODS
Sixty-three subjects enrolled in the study. Subjects performed 15 sets of 15 repetitions of maximal eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors. Subjects were then monitored on a daily basis for development of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Subjects received either microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation (MENS) or sham treatment.


RESULTS
Three subjects developed clinically significant rhabdomyolysis after performing this exercise protocol. Affected subjects were the only subjects who reported use of SSRI during the study period.


CONCLUSIONS
This report raises suspicion of SSRI use as a predisposing factor to muscle injury after eccentric exercise.
Labotz
Michele
M
Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, HI 96813-5534, USA. labotz@hawaii.edu
Wolff
Toby K
TK
Nakasone
Kenneth T
KT
Kimura
Iris F
IF
Hetzler
Ronald K
RK
Nichols
Andrew W
AW
D000328:Adult; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology*; D000092464:Elbow Injuries
D003402:Creatine Kinase; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors