Rhabdomyolysis associated with cocaine intoxication

A case of a patient who had an acutely toxic reaction to cocaine ingestion and later developed acute renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis is described. Evidence of rhabdomyolysis was noted by the combination of myalgia, urine discoloration, and elevated serum concentrations of muscle enzymes. Although the mechanism of the rhabdomyolysis is unknown, the clinical presentation resembled that of a norepinephrine-induced vasoconstrictive effect that alters the metabolic demands of the muscle in such a way that the muscle is damaged.