Proximal-Muscle Weakness Induced by Herbs

To the Editor: We report a case of muscle weakness induced by herbs that is associated with the boom in unconventional therapy. A 69-year-old man had an eight-month history of painless, nonfluctuating weakness, primarily of the lower extremities, without other associated neurologic or constitutional symptoms. The results of magnetic resonance imaging of the head, electromyography including nerve-conduction study with repetitive stimulation, and blood tests were normal. The patient had paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. When seen initially (April 1992), the man was taking theophylline, verapamil, digoxin, and quinidine gluconate. He was cachectic, with numerous ecchymoses . . .