[Adverse muscle effects of a podofyllotoxin-containing cytotoxic drug product with simvastatin].
With the ageing population, drug interactions pose an increasing challenge to health professionals. We describe four patients, for whom concurrent administration of a podofyllotoxin-containing cytotoxic drug product and simvastatin caused severe adverse effects on muscles, including muscle pain, soreness or fatigue or weakness, and in some patients also disintegration of muscle tissue, i.e. rhabdomyolysis. The metabolism of both drugs proceeds via the common CYP3A4 enzyme pathway.
Kaipiainen-Seppänen
Oili
O
KYS:n sisätautien klinikka, Kuopio.
Savolainen
Elina
E
Elfving
Pia
P
Kononoff
Aulikki
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011034:Podophyllotoxin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000009:adverse effects*
D019821:Simvastatin; D011034:Podophyllotoxin