DRUG-INDUCED RHABDOMYOLYSIS - CASE-REPORT

Rhabdomyolysis results from skeletal muscle injury leading to the rele ase of intracellular contents into blood and urine. Its diverse aetiol ogy includes severe exercise, muscle trauma or ischaemia, metabolic di sorders, infections and exposure to drugs and toxins, Known risk facto rs include heredity disorders of glycogen and lipid metabolism as well as a history of substance abuse. A case of rhabdomyolysis associated with exposure to opiates and benzodiazepines is described and the path ogenesis and treatment are reviewed. The rhabdomyolysis was complicate d by acute renal failure; the patient fully recovered. It is suggested that rhabdomyolysis should be borne in mind in patients presenting wi th altered mental status, or fluid and electrolyte abnormalities, in p articular, if they also give a history of substance abuse.