Acute myopathy secondary to oral steroid therapy in a 49-year-old man: a case report

Acute myopathy caused by oral corticosteroids is rare. We present a case of myopathy occurring after two doses of methylprednisolone. Typically, acute steroid myopathy occurs with therapy using intravenous corticosteroids at high doses. Acute myopathy developing very early in the course of treatment with oral corticosteroids has been reported only once in the literature. Corticosteroid therapy may be complicated by myopathy, usually chronic, after prolonged high-dose therapy. Acute myopathy caused by exogenous corticosteroids is rare, usually with intravenous corticosteroids at high doses.

A 49-year-old Caucasian man developed acute myopathy after taking oral methylprednisolone for only two days, 24 mg on day 1 and 20 mg on day 2. He discontinued the medication because of new-onset myalgias and lethargy on day 3 and was seen in our clinic four days after beginning therapy. He completely recovered in four weeks by discontinuing the corticosteroids.

Among the many complications of corticosteroid therapy, acute myopathy is very rare. It requires prompt recognition and adjustment of therapy.