[Gemfibrozil-induced myopathy]

A 61-year-old woman with hyperlipidemia was treated with gemfibrozil. She also had insulin-treated diabetes mellitus and chronic renal failure and was admitted because of severe chest pain. The ST segment was depressed and creatine kinase levels were elevated. The original diagnosis was acute myocardial infarction. In the presence of increasing chest pain, the onset of limb muscle tenderness, and increasing levels of creatine kinase, the diagnosis of myopathy secondary to gemfibrozil therapy was made and the drug was discontinued. All symptoms then subsided and creatine kinase levels returned to normal. Myopathy is a well-known complication of blood lipid-lowering drugs, especially in patients with renal failure.