Drug-Induced Rhabdomyolysis

One of the potential adverse side effects of substance use disorders and prescription drug misuse is drug-induced rhabdomyolysis. This can be a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical treatment. By learning more about this condition, along with common symptoms, it can help people determine when they need to seek professional help for their drug use and treatment for rhabdomyolysis. 

What Is Drug-Induced Rhabdomyolysis?

Rhabdomyolysis, also called rhabdo, is a medical condition that causes the muscles to break down and essentially disintegrate. This type of injury usually comes from muscle injuries or overworking muscles during exercise without allowing the time to rest and recover. Moreover, when rhabdomyolysis occurs, muscle tissues release toxins that enter the bloodstream. Eventually, they make their way to the kidneys, where they can cause kidney damage. 

Furthermore, drug-induced rhabdomyolysis occurs when drug use injures the muscle, such as:

• Taking myotoxic prescription drugs for a prolonged period
• Misusing myotoxic drugs
• Intravenous illicit drug use
• Experiencing muscle injuries due to accidents caused by drug use
• Overdosing on drugs and undergoing revival

How Common Is Drug-Induced Rhabdomyolysis?

The precise prevalence of drug-induced rhabdomyolysis is unknown. However, according to the National Library of Medicine, there are approximately 26,000 cases of rhabdo annually. Moreover, other related data about rhabdomyolysis includes:

• In addition, 24% of adults with emergency room cocaine-related conditions have rhabdo.
• Furthermore, most cases are the result of substance use and alcohol use disorders, trauma, myotoxic drugs, and muscular injuries.  
• The risk of drug-induced rhabdomyolysis is higher with statin use, especially at higher doses.
• Frequent and regular intravenous drug use has a high risk of developing drug-induced rhabdomyolysis. 

Drug-Induced Rhabdomyolysis Symptoms

The symptoms of drug-induced rhabdomyolysis can be difficult to notice and might not seem serious enough to seek medical treatment. The symptoms can also mimic other drug addiction symptoms. They could include:

• Deceased urination
• Trouble urinating
• Elevated heart rate
• Dehyration
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Muscle swelling
• Muscle pain and soreness 
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of consciousness
• Fever
• Confusion
• Extremely high potassium levels

Which Drugs Cause Rhabdomyolysis?

A variety of different drugs and medications can cause drug-induced rhabdomyolysis. Certain medications impair or prohibit the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP is present in all cells in the body and carries energy for muscular contraction, protein synthesis, and nerve impulse transmission. In some cases, damaged muscles initially use more ATP, but since the body does not replenish it fast enough, the imbalance can lead to rhabdo.

Some of the drugs that cause rhabdomyolysis include:

• Benzodiazepines
• Barbiturates
• Heroin
• Amphetamines
• Cocaine
• Tramadol
• Methadone
• Synthetic Cannabinoids
• Opiods 
• Opiates
• Myotoxic drugs
• Statins
• Antipsychoctics
• Alcohol
• Lithium
• Anticonvulsants
• LSD

It is important to remember this is just a partial list of drugs and medications. Therefore, before starting any new prescription medication, review potential side effects to check if rhabdomyolysis is a risk.

Generally, drug-induced rhabdomyolysis is more likely to occur in individuals with alcohol and substance use disorders, including prescription drug misuse and regular intravenous drug use. 

What Are the Risk Factors For Drug-Induced Rhabdomyolysis?

The risk factors for drug-induced rhabdo can include:

• Drug-induced injuries: Falling down, getting into injury-causing accidents that damage muscles, can increase risks for rhabdo.
• In addition, intravenous drug use: Muscle tissue can be damaged from injecting drugs into the body. 
• Trauma: Trauma to a specific area of the body, such as severe burns or crushing injuries, can cause rhabdomyolysis.
• Severe overheating and dehydration: When drugs cause these conditions, the body loses hydration, making muscles break down faster and triggering rhabdo.
• Family history of addiction: Those with a family history of addiction have a higher risk of developing addiction themselves, which could potentially lead to rhabdomyolysis if they are using substances that increase risks for this condition.
• Family history of mental health disorders: People often turn to substances to cope and self-medicate mental health problems, which can lead to addiction, and increase the risk of rhabdo. 
• Lastly, Using substances to cope with muscle diseases: People with muscular dystrophy and other muscle diseases are already at risk for rhabdomyolysis. When they turn to substances to cope, it further increases their risks. 

How Is Drug-Induced Rhabdomyolysis Treated?

The treatment for drug-induced rhabdomyolysis involves addressing any drug dependence and addiction, as well as rhabdomyolysis, which could include:

• Medically supervised detox: It is vital to address addiction to alcohol and substances with medical monitoring and assistance in managing withdrawal symptoms.
• Urine and blood tests: Urine and blood samples are performed to check myoglobin and creatine kinase levels, which can indicate muscle disintegration.  
• IV fluids: Intravenous hydration is vital to ensuring the body is properly hydrated so the kidneys can process and remove toxins, and reduce the risks of kidney damage and failure. 
• Electrolyte balancing: Electrolyte levels must be monitored and balanced to help reduce the effects of rhabdomyolysis.
• Physical therapy: Physical therapy helps rebuild and re-strengthen muscles. 
• Addressing kidney failure: If rhabdomyolysis severely damages the kidneys and causes failure, doctors use dialysis to remove toxins from the blood.
• Counseling and therapy: Individual and group therapy are an essential part of addiction recovery and can also help people address their concerns about having rhabdomyolysis.
• Holistic therapies: Yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and other holistic therapies can help restore balance to the mind, body, and spirit, while also teaching people how to live healthier without relying on substances. 
• Mental health treatment: For people with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders, it is crucial to ensure their mental health issues are also being treated. 

Contact Phoenix Rising Recovery to Treat Drug-Induced Rhabdomyolysis

When you are addicted to drugs or alcohol and worry about developing drug-induced rhabdomyolysis, Phoenix Rising Recovery Center offers help. Moreover, even if you are already presenting symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, our comprehensive and personalized treatment plans can help treat your addiction and rhabdo. In addition, the earlier healthcare providers detect drug-induced rhabdomyolysis, the more likely you can fully recover. Furthermore, Contact us today to start the admissions process.

Published: 5/5/2025