Rhabdomyolysis caused by interaction between rosuvastatin and vadadustat: a case report

BACKGROUND: Rhabdomyolysis is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by melting or necrosis of skeletal muscle cells and leakage of muscle components into the bloodstream. It has been reported that the interaction of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor rosuvastatin with the renal anemia drug vadadustat increases the blood concentration of rosuvastatin in vitro. In this study, we report a case of suspected rhabdomyolysis caused by the drug interaction of rosuvastatin and vadadustat in clinical practice. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old male with medical records of hypertension, myocardial infarction, chronic renal failure, renal anemia, dyslipidemia, and alcoholic liver disease. The patient had been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) at the Department of Nephrology, and treated by outpatient care with renal support therapy for the past two years. On X-63 day, his prescription was rosuvastatin (10 mg/day) and a continuous erythrocyte-stimulating agent, epoetin beta pegol (genetical recombination, 100 μg). X-Day 0, blood tests revealed creatine phosphokinase (CPK) 298 U/L, serum creatinine (SCr) 5.26 mg/dL, and hemoglobin (Hb) 9.5 g/dL; thus, the prescription was changed from epoetin beta pegol 100 μg to vadadustat 300 mg/day. On X + day 80, a prescription for a diuretic (azosemide 15 mg/day) was added for swelling of the lower extremities. On X + day 105, we found CPK 16,509 U/L, SCr 6.51 mg/dL, and Hb 9.5 g/dL. The patient was diagnosed as rhabdomyolysis and hospitalized. After hospitalization, rosuvastatin and vadadustat were discontinued and we administered intravenous fluids. Thereafter, CPK and SCr values of the patient improved. On X + day 122, CPK improved to 29 U/L, SCr to 2.6 mg/dL, and Hb to 9.6 g/dL, and he was discharged on X + day 124. At discharge, rosuvastatin 2.5 mg/day was resumed. A blood test on X + day 133 showed CPK 144 U/L and SCr 4.2 mg/dL. CONCLUSION: We experienced a case of rhabdomyolysis caused by drug interactions between rosuvastatin and vadadustat.