Conditions and symptoms
What Is Rhabdomyolysis? Muscle Breakdown Warning Explained
Rhabdomyolysis · say it: rab-doh-my-OL-ih-sisAlso written: rhabdo, muscle breakdown
Short answer
Rhabdomyolysis is a serious breakdown of muscle tissue that releases substances into the blood which can harm the kidneys. It needs urgent care.
What it means
Rhabdomyolysis happens when muscle tissue breaks down quickly and releases its contents, including a protein called myoglobin, into the bloodstream. This can damage the kidneys. Signs include severe muscle pain, weakness or swelling, and dark, tea- or cola-coloured urine. It needs urgent medical help.
Labels for statins and some other medicines list rhabdomyolysis as a rare but serious side effect. The risk is higher with higher doses, with certain drug combinations (for example some medicines that block CYP3A4), in older people and in people with kidney or thyroid problems. Labels ask you to report unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, especially with fever or dark urine. It can also be caused by extreme exercise, injury, heat or some drugs of misuse.
Rhabdomyolysis is the most severe form of medicine-related muscle problems. Milder muscle aches (myalgia) and myopathy (muscle weakness) are more common and less serious.
Where you may see it
- The 'Warnings' section of statin labels
- Leaflets under 'Muscle problems'
- Hospital records with a high CK (creatine kinase) result
📄 How it looks on a report
Myopathy and rhabdomyolysis: Advise patients to promptly report unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever.
🙅 What it does not mean
- Ordinary aching after exercise is not rhabdomyolysis.
- Being on a statin does not mean you will get it; it is rare.
- Mild muscle aches do not usually mean serious damage, but they should still be reported.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Rhabdomyolysis”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Albendazole
an anthelmintic drug, a medicine used to treat infections caused by parasitic worms
- Atorvastatin
a statin, a cholesterol-lowering medicine of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor type
- Colchicine
an alkaloid medicine, a compound obtained from the autumn crocus plant (colchicum autumnale)
- Rosuvastatin
a cholesterol-lowering medicine of the statin type (an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor)
- Simvastatin
a cholesterol-lowering medicine of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor type (often called a statin)
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Rhabdomyolysis” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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