Three Cases of Lovastatin Induced Rhabdomyolysis Following Renal Transplantation / 대한이식학회지

ABSTRACT

In renal transplantation, cardiovascular disease is a frequent cause of mortality and morbidity. Post-transplant lipoprotein abnormalities may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and chronic renal allograft rejection. Post- transplant hyperlipidemia is commonly related to immunosuppressive therapy. Lovastatin effectively lowers cholesterol in patients after renal transplantation and may be of potential benefit in preventing graft atherosclerosis with a few side effects. But the drug can cause severe complication. Rhabdomyolysis is one of the complications, which can cause acute renal failure. In Korea, lovastatin use after renal transplantation is common, but rhabdomyolysis is rarely reported. So, we report three cases of rhabdomyolysis. Physicians should be aware of the dose of lovastatin and potential risks of combined therapy with cyclosporin in renal transplant patients.