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Myopathy induced by clofibrate treatment in normolipaemic patients
Insights
Clofibric acid, used for diabetes insipidus, may cause myopathy (muscle disease) and hypertriglyceridemia. This study warns against its uncritical use due to potential serious side effects.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Myopathy was observed in a child with diabetes insipidus treated with clofibric acid.
- This prompted an investigation into potential drug-induced myopathy in similar patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential myopathic side-effects of clofibric acid in children with diabetes insipidus.
- To assess the drug's impact on muscle function and creatine phosphokinase levels.
Main Methods:
- Examined three children with diabetes insipidus for signs of myopathy.
- Administered clofibric acid to two researchers to observe effects.
- Monitored creatine phosphokinase activity and performed EMG.
Main Results:
- Children exhibited increased creatine phosphokinase and EMG changes, indicating myopathy.
- Researchers developed subclinical myopathy after taking clofibric acid.
- Transitional hypertriglyceridemia occurred after drug cessation.
Conclusions:
- Clofibric acid can induce myopathy and hypertriglyceridemia.
- The findings serve as a warning against the uncritical use of clofibric acid and its esters.
Abstract:
On the basis of the occurrence of myopathy in a clofibric acid treated child with diabetes insipidus, three other children with the same diseases were examined in order to find indications for a myopathic side-effect of the drug. When the children were found to have increased creatine phosphokinase activity and EMG changes, two of the authors took clofibric acid themselves. In both test persons subclinical myopathy was produced. After stopping the drug, transitional hypertriglyceridaemia occurred. These side-effects should serve as a warning of an uncritical application of clofibric acid and its esters.