Rhabdomyolysis Following Clarithromycin Monotherapy

Macrolide antibiotics inhibit the metabolism of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) that may result in myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. We report the first case of rhabdomyolysis related to the administration of clarithromycin without concurrent use of other medications. Inhibition of cytochrome P450 could be one of the potential causative mechanisms of myopathy in our case. Clinicians should be aware of this potential adverse effect of a widely used drug.