A Case of Statin-Induced Rhabdomyolysis After Seven Years of Statin Therapy

Rhabdomyolysis is a well-known but uncommon condition that can result from various causes, including overexertion, trauma, immobilization, toxins, and certain drugs. Release of muscle cell contents, including creatine kinase (CK) and myoglobin, can lead to fatal complications, including disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), arrhythmias, and renal failure. The most well-known cause of rhabdomyolysis is trauma, yet many patients are aware of the association between statins and rhabdomyolysis. Typically, cases of statin-induced rhabdomyolysis occur within a month of starting the medication. Here, we report the case of a 77-year-old woman who presented with myalgias and weakness and was subsequently found to have a CK of 23,203 U/L, transaminitis, and acute kidney injury, indicative of rhabdomyolysis that developed after seven years of previously well-tolerated continuous statin therapy.