Cerivastatin and reports of fatal rhabdomyolysis.

Abstract

To the Editor: Bayer's voluntary withdrawal of cerivastatin from the U.S. market led to questions regarding the safety of all hydroxymethylglutaryl–coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, or statins. Myopathy and the rarer severe rhabdomyolysis are considered adverse events of therapy with this class of drugs.1 Concomitant use of drugs that can increase blood levels of statins can increase the risk of myopathy, as can concomitant use of gemfibrozil.2 We summarize the U.S. reports of fatal rhabdomyolysis associated with all six drugs in this class: lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, and cerivastatin. We reviewed reports in the Adverse Event Reporting System of the . . .