Korean J Med.  2008 Dec;75(6):718-722.

Rhabdomyolysis due to hyponatremia in a patient taking benzodiazepines

• Jeong JH
• Cho JH
• Yu CM
• Suh SO
• Ahn SJ
• Jung JO
• Kim YK

Abstract

Hyponatremia is rarely reported to cause rhabdomyolysis and there has been only one case report on rhabdomyolysis due to hyponatremia, possibly complicated by benzodiazepines. We experienced a case of rhabdomyolysis due to hyponatremia during the use of benzodiazepines in a patient with an acute psychosis. A 60-year-old man was admitted to the emergency room due to altered mentality. He had been taking benzodiazepines for 1 month because of insomnia, uneasiness, and depression. His initial blood chemistry revealed severe hypotonic hyponatremia in the absence of polydipsia, edema, and features of dehydration. While correcting the hyponatremia, rhabdomyolysis developed with no evidence of trauma, seizures, or tremor. In patients with acute psychosis, the development of rhabdomyolysis due to hyponatremia or its correction should not be underestimated and should be assessed thoroughly. Clinicians also need to be aware of the potential risk of benzodiazepines for the development of rhabdomyolysis.

Keyword

Rhabdomyolysis; Hyponatremia; Benzodiazepines

MeSH Terms

Benzodiazepines
Dehydration
Depression
Edema
Emergencies
Humans
Hyponatremia
Middle Aged
Polydipsia
Psychotic Disorders
Rhabdomyolysis
Seizures
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
Tremor
Benzodiazepines