Lovastatin-induced rhabdomyolysis in the absence of concomitant drugs

OBJECTIVE: Presentation of a case of lovastatin-induced rhabdomyolysis in the absence of other medications known to potentiate this adverse effect. METHODOLOGY: Case report. RESULTS: A 60-year-old black man developed rhabdomyolysis after receiving lovastatin for 14 months. Rhabdomyolysis developed in the absence of other medications previously reported to cause this adverse effect when administered concomitantly with lovastatin. Adverse drug reaction causality algorithms categorized this reaction as either possible or probable. CONCLUSIONS: Rhabdomyolysis is an uncommon adverse effect associated with lovastatin therapy. Although reported cases of lovastatin-induced rhabdomyolysis were associated with the coadministration of cyclosporine, erythromycin, gemfibrozil, or nicotinic acid, this adverse effect may occur in the absence of these agents.