Life-threatening rhabdomyolysis following the interaction of two commonly prescribed medications

Abstract

We report an interaction between erythromycin and simvastatin resulting in life-threatening rhabdomyolysis in an elderly patient. Drugs that inhibit CYP3A4 enzyme can cause elevated serum levels of statins which amplifies the risk of statin-induced rhabdomyolysis. Physicians should be aware of potential drug interactions of statins, which are widely used in the community.