RHABDOMYOLYSIS AND ACUTE-RENAL-FAILURE AFTER RILMENIDINE TREATMENT

A case of rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure after rilmenidine treatment is reported. There was no evidence of any of the metabolic, infectious, traumatic, ischemic, immunologic, or toxic causes of rhabdomyolysis. Many drugs can induce rhabdomyolysis, even when given in appropriate dosages. This is the first case of rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure for which the causal link to rilmenidine treatment seems likely. Muscle enzyme activities and renal function parameters should be monitored in patients given rilmenidine, especially those with any degree of preexisting renal failure.