Rhabdomyolysis refers to an illness which is characterized by the breakdown of muscle cells and substances from the muscle cells are released into the bloodstream. Although in rare cases, the condition may lead to kidney damage and other organ damages which may be lethal.

Rhabdomyolysis is caused by the following reasons:

• Some bacterial and viral infections
• Poisonous substances like carbon monoxide
• Certain pharmaceuticals like stains
• Trauma like major burns
• Overly use of muscles such as running a marathon

There were reports of deadly cases of rhabdomyolysis, connecting it with the use of anti-cholesterol medicine known as Baycol or cerivastatin. Baycol was withdrawn from the market on August 8, 2001. The reported fatal cases of rhabdomyolysis were observed to happen when Baycol is taken in higher doses, used by elderly patients, and specifically when it is used with gemfibrozil or LOPID and generics.

The symptoms of rhabdomyolysis are the following:

• Fever
• Malaise
• Muscle pain, weakness, and tenderness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dark urine

The pain may experience in particular clusters of muscles or maybe throughout the body. Most often, the involved muscles are those from lower back and the claves but there are some patients who do not have any signs of this muscle pain.

Treatments for rhabdomyolysis are the following:

• Dialysis
• Hydration
• Removing the source of the muscle cell breakdown including stopping the use of pharmaceutical which is causing the rhabdomyolysis.

If you have these symptoms, you may be suffering from rhabdomyolysis, thus, you need to contact your doctor right away.