Alzheimer’s Drug Linked to Potentially Serious Muscle Condition

 

Megan Brooks

September 19, 2019

The Alzheimer’s drug donepezil (multiple brands) is associated with a twofold higher risk for hospital admission for rhabdomyolysis, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition in which muscle cells break down. It can lead to kidney damage.

Results of a population-based study showed that use of donepezil was associated a significantly higher risk for rhabdomyolysis compared to other cholinesterase inhibitors, although the investigators note that the absolute risk was small.

“Clinicians should have an index of suspicion to check for rhabdomyolysis if patients on donepezil present with muscle weakness or pain,” study investigator Jamie Fleet, MD, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, told Medscape Medical News.

“There was some concern about the risk of rhabdomyolysis in donepezil use based on case reports. It was flagged by Health Canada and other regulatory agencies as a potential risk, which was one of the main reasons behind our study,” Fleet added.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/918676?src=wnl_tp10n_191010_mscpedit&uac=1776MZ&impID=2124126&faf=1

 

Maurice Preter, MD

About Maurice Preter MD

Maurice Preter, MD is a European and U.S. educated psychiatrist, psychotherapist, psychopharmacologist, neurologist, and medical-legal expert in private practice in Manhattan. He is also the principal of Fifth Avenue Concierge Medicine, PLLC, a medical concierge service and health advisory for select individuals and families.
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