What should you know about drug induced rhabdomyolysis symptoms?

Rhabdomyolysis is rapid muscle breakdown. Drug-induced rhabdomyolysis means a medicine or substance may have contributed to that process. Symptoms can include unusual muscle pain, tenderness, swelling, weakness, stiffness, or trouble moving a limb. Urine may become dark, tea-coloured, or much less frequent.

Symptoms can resemble ordinary [Muscle Soreness After Exercise](/symptoms/muscle-soreness-after-exercise/), but severe pain, weakness, swelling, or urine changes are warning features. Kidney strain and changes in body salts can occur, so a person may need blood and urine tests even when the skin looks normal.

Seek urgent medical advice if these symptoms begin after starting, stopping, or changing a medicine, or after taking more than directed. Bring the medicine packets and a complete list of prescriptions, supplements, and recreational substances. Do not take another dose of a suspected medicine unless a clinician who knows your situation tells you to, and do not restart it on your own.

Avoid strenuous exercise and alcohol while waiting for advice. A clinician may check muscle enzymes, kidney function, urine, hydration, and body salts. Treatment depends on the cause and may require monitored fluids or hospital care.

Go to emergency care for dark or reduced urine, severe or rapidly worsening muscle pain, marked weakness, confusion, fainting, chest symptoms, breathing difficulty, or swelling that limits movement. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint, confused, or too weak to walk safely. Tell the team exactly when symptoms and medicine changes occurred.

Ask which medicine may be involved, whether it should be stopped, which tests are needed, how to protect kidney function, and when it is safe to resume exercise or other medicines.