Clarithromycin-induced rhabdomyolysis: A case report

Abstract

Rhabdomyolysis is a clinical and laboratory syndrome that is caused by various etiologies, involving the skelet al muscle. Clarithromycin, like other macrolides, is an inhibitor of CYP450 3A4, the major enzyme responsible for the metabolism of several drugs, in particular some statins. Rhabdomyolysis related to macrolide-statin interaction has previously been described. To date, rhabdomyolysis induced by clarithromycin has been described in only one previous report. We describe the case of a 90-year-old Caucasian male, admitted to the University Hospital of Pisa for dyspnea, who developed rhabdomyolysis associated with clarithromycin administration. © 2012 Pasqualetti et al, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd.