Colchicine-induced rhabdomyolysis: a review of 83 cases

A 74-year-old man with medical history significant for atrial fibrillation, hyperlipidaemia and coronary artery disease on atorvastatin presented to the emergency department with profound weakness. The patient reports he first noticed his weakness 4 weeks after starting colchicine, prescribed for recurrent pericarditis with pericardial effusion, a complication following recent coronary artery bypass grafting. The patient was also on prednisone therapy for presumed post-pericardiotomy syndrome. The weakness involved all four limbs but was more notable in the lower extremities, with preserved sensation and tenderness to palpation. Labs showed an elevated creatinine phosphokinase and serum creatinine consistent with rhabdomyolysis. Discontinuation of the offending medications, including colchicine and atorvastatin, as well as intravenous fluid resuscitation with physical rehabilitation, led to improvement in the patient's symptoms. He was eventually discharged to a rehabilitation facility to continue physical therapy.