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Clarithromycin-induced rhabdomyolysis: a case report

Authors Pasqualetti G, Bini, Tognini S, Polini A, Monzani F

Received 11 January 2012

Accepted for publication 8 February 2012

Published 20 March 2012 Volume 2012:5 Pages 283—285

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S29845

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 4



Giuseppe Pasqualetti, Giacomo Bini, Sara Tognini, Antonio Polini, Fabio Monzani

Geriatrics Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

Abstract: Rhabdomyolysis is a clinical and laboratory syndrome that is caused by various etiologies, involving the skeletal 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.

Keywords: clarithromycin, rhabdomyolysis, pneumonia

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