Rhabdomyolysis associated with cerivastatin: six cases within 3 months at one hospital.

Rhabdomyolysis is an uncommon complication associated with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors. We observed six cases of cerivastatin-associated rhabdomyolysis: two patients developed acute renal failure requiring hemodialysis, and one patient died. Four of the patients had impaired renal function, and five were prescribed drugs with the potential to interact with cerivastatin. Also, five of the six patients presented with symptoms of rhabdomyolysis 3-4 weeks after starting cerivastatin therapy.