Clinical Review
Alendronate-Associated Rhabdomyolysis in a Patient with Other Risk Factors
Case in Point
Fed Pract. 2009 March;26(3):33
Author and Disclosure Information
Benjamin Basseri, MD and Mary B. White, MD
Dr. Basseri is a resident physician and Dr. White is the director of the Transitional Care Unit, both in the department of internal medicine, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA.
This elderly patient was taking a statin for hyperlipidemia and regularly consuming moderate quantities of alcohol. Yet the primary cause of his rhabdomyolysis appears to have been initiation of the bisphosphonate alendronate—which has not been associated with the condition previously.