Rhabdomyolysis and drugs of abuse

Rhabdomyolysis is a disorder in which injury to muscle results in leakage o f myocyte intracellular contents into the plasma. It has been associated wi th a tremendous number and diversity of clinical conditions and substances. Several physiological and biochemical mechanisms for this syndrome have be en described. The most likely etiology of rhabdomyolysis in patients presen ting to the emergency department is ingestion of drugs of abuse, most commo nly ethanol, heroin, amphetamines, cocaine, and other sedatives or stimulan ts. In this article, the association between rhabdomyolysis and drugs of ab use is explored, as well as its diagnosis and treatment. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.