We usually think of medicines as healing agents, but in rare cases, certain drugs can cause a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis where muscle fibers break down and release harmful proteins into the bloodstream.
Medicines most often linked include:
Statins (used to lower cholesterol)
Certain antivirals and antibiotics
Some antipsychotics and recreational drug interactions
Why it’s dangerous:
The breakdown of muscle tissue releases myoglobin, a protein that can clog the kidneys, leading to acute kidney injury. Symptoms often start with:
Muscle pain or weakness
Dark, tea-colored urine
Extreme fatigue
Why it matters in pharmacy:
Early recognition and dose adjustment are key.
Pharmacists can help monitor high-risk patients (like those on multiple statins or drug combinations).
Patient counseling such as reporting unexplained muscle pain can prevent life-threatening complications.
Have you ever come across a case where a commonly prescribed medicine led to an unexpected severe side effect?
Yes, I have seen infront of my eyes when i was around 14years old I can’t forget that incident ever. My best- friend father had medical store so he gave her fever tablet when she was sick without taking prescription from doctor due to that medicine she got brain fever and she died doctors can’t save her. That incident I can never forget .
The article highlights the importance of pharmacists in identifying a serious condition like rhabdomyolysis early on. Patient counseling and proper monitoring are essential to prevent life-threatening complications from medications.
I have seen a adr that the reddish black discoloration of feet of a 74 year female have H/O TKR 3 months back in our hospital. She consulted an RMP near her locality due to unbearable pain of legs one day before. Rmp administered Inj.Dexamethasone, Inj. Diclofenac and Inj.Avil simultaneously. She developed discoloration of feet next day morning and came to our hospital. I think It might be necrosis of foot as the pulse oximeter doesn’t shown any readings of the foot.
This is my own experience with the most commonly prescribed cough syrup. I was suffering from cough since long and tried many home remedies to treat it but there was no difference. Then there was this common cough syrup at home i had it and in a few minutes my head was spinning and I couldn’t breathe properly immediately i was taken to hospital and was told that i was allergic to one of the composition of the syrup so yes without prescription and proper knowledge no drug should be taken.
This article highlights the importance of patient counselling and the role of pharmacists in monitoring high risk patients. Thank you for sharing such informative content.
Many people don’t realize that even widely used drugs can have rare but serious side effects like rhabdomyolysis. Early recognition and patient education make a huge difference. I’ll definitely keep this in mind for future practice thank you for raising awareness!
Rhabdomyolysis is a serious condition where damaged muscle tissue releases proteins and electrolytes into the blood, potentially leading to kidney injury. Certain medicines, especially statins and some antivirals or antipsychotics, can trigger this breakdown. Early recognition of symptoms like muscle pain, weakness, and dark urine is crucial for preventing complications. This highlights the importance of careful drug monitoring and patient awareness.
Commonly used medicines like statins can sometimes have rare but serious side effects. Pharmacist intervention and patient education are the most important things.
Yes, ibuprofen, a highly used NSAID, can quite suddenly lead to severe kidney failure or bleeding ulcers of the stomach in some patients, especially with prolonged use or in high doses, uncovering unsuspected dangers of common medications.
sometimes even a small medication can lead to serious side effects when consumed without any prescription and taken by us. It is very important to take the suggestion of any health care practitioner when consuming any medication for safe results.
This case explain the importance of reporting of ADR . Most of this clinical cases remain unreported early recoginition and reporting , clinical pharmacist plays a important role in managing the cases .
Medicines most often linked include: