6 Types of Medications That Might Cause Rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyolysis might caused by many factors such as eat too crayfish, drinking a lot, and exercising too much lead to rhabdomyolysis. We need to be alert that some medications might lead to rhabdomyolysis. Below are 6 types of medications that might cause Rhabdomyolysis.

Blood-lipid Lowering Drugs

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, also known as statins, such as simvastatin, pravarin, atorvastatin, etc might cause myopathy, including myalgia, myoinflammation and rhabdomyolysis.^[1]Saad Ezad,1 Hooria Cheema,2 and Nicholas Collins1, Statin-induced rhabdomyolysis: a complication of a commonly overlooked drug interaction,Oxf Med Case Reports. 2018 Mar; 2018(3): omx104. The incidence of muscle discomfort varies from statin drugs, generally around 5%.

Phenyloxyisobutyric Acid Drugs, also known as fibrates, such as fenofibrate, bezafibrate, etc reduce triglyceride (TG) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDLs). The combination of statins and fibrates increases the risk of rhabdomyolysis. ^[2] Chamara Dalugama, Manoji Pathirage & S. A. M. Kularatne, Delayed presentation of severe rhabdomyolysis leading to acute kidney injury following atorvastatin-gemfibrozil combination therapy: a … Continue reading

β2 receptor agonists

β2 receptor agonists, such as terbutaline, salbutamol, etc are principal drug for the treatment of asthma. It works by selectively stimulating respiratory tract beta 2 receptor and improving respiratory function.However, it might cause rhabdomyolysis as β2 receptor agonists activate β2 receptor of slow-twitch muscle fiber, and accelerating its contraction and destroying fusion between fast and slow contraction fibers.

Anti-hepatitis Drugs

Anti-hepatitis drugs, mainly lamivudine and telbivudine, cause damage to the skeletal system, leading to myalgia, arthralgia, spasm as well as rhabdomyolysis.

Antibiotics

Quinolone antibiotics (flaviides) increase the risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture, which will aggravate the muscle weakness of patients with myasthenia gravis. Minors under 18 years old should avoid using it.

Drugs causing hypokalemia

Hypokalemia is the inducing factor of myolysis, and long-term use of potassium excretion drugs, such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, Indapamide, amphotericin B, etc can cause rhabdomyolysis.

Narcotic & Psychotropic Drugs

Narcotic & Psychotropic Drugs, such as ppioids, barbiturates, phenothiazines, succinyl cholines, etc, can cause coma, leading to muscle compression and damage for a long time, thus causing rhabdomyolysis.

Except for the above 6 types of medications that might cause Rhabdomyolysis, other medicines such as theophylline, amiodarone, donepezil, thiocentine, diphenhydramine, etc are reported with this potential risk.

Seek medical treatment as soon as possible to no matter what causes rhabdomyolysis,

Tips: What is Rhabdomyolysis?

Rhabdomyolysis is a condition in which damaged skeletal muscle breaks down rapidly, including symptoms like muscle pains, weakness, vomiting, and confusion. ^[3] Sauret JM, Marinides G, Wang GK (March 2002). “Rhabdomyolysis”. American Family Physician. 65 (5): 907–12.