Successful reintroduction of statin therapy after statin-associated rhabdomyolysis

The case report demonstrates the successful use of an alternative statin after a statin-related episode of rhabdomyolysis. Statin-associated rhabdomyolysis is a serious adverse event with a very low incidence and is considered the most severe of the muscle-related side effects of the statins. Rechallenge with statins is not a recommended practice after rhabdomyolysis. The patient experienced a myocardial infarct 1 y after the episode of rhabdomyolysis. He used alternative lipid-lowering therapy for 2 y. His low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was not meeting typical secondary prevention targets. An alternative statin was introduced and the patient has been followed for 4 years without recurrence of the rhabdomyolysis. This case suggests it may be time to reconsider the accepted practice of permanently avoiding statin therapy after rhabdomyolysis.