Long-term use of gossypol acetic acid led to severe hypokalemia and rhabdomyolysis syndrome

Abstract

A 52-year-old female patient received compound acetate gossypol tablets 1 pill daily (each one contains acetic acid gossypol 20 mg, vitamin B1 10 mg, vitamin B6 10 mg, potassium chloride 250 mg) for 21 months due to uterine fibroid. The patient developed weakness after 18 months of treatment, muscle soreness and fatigue after about 21 months of treatment. Laboratory tests showed the levels of serum potassium, magnesium, creatine kinase, and myoglobin were 2.0 mmol/L, 0.57 mmol/L, 8 830 U/L, and 977 μg/L, respectively. The compound acetate gossypol tablet was stopped and potassium, magnesium, and other treatments were given. Eight days later, her physical strength recovered, muscle soreness disappeared, and the levels of serum potassium, magnesium, creatine kinase, and myoglobin were 3.6 mmol/L, 0.78 mmol/L, 6 097 U/L, and 113 μg/L, respectively. Treatments of potassium and magnesium supplement continued. Ten days later, her serum potassium was 3.7 mmol/L, magnesium 0.82 mmol/L, creatine kinase 101 U/L, and myoglobin 40 μg/L. Key words: Gossypol; Hypokalemia; Rhabdomyolysis