Rhabdomyolysis: A Case Study Exploring the Possible Side Effect of Lipid Lowering Medication by a HIV Positive Patient Taking a Protease Inhibitor (Case Study‪)‬

Introduction Dyslipidemia is defined as a simultaneous increase in serum triglyceride, LDL and VLDL cholesterol levels and decrease in HDL cholesterol. This altered lipid profile is a common problem in the HIV population secondary both to protease inhibitor drug therapy and the HIV infection itself (1) as well as in other chronic metabolic diseases such as Type II Diabetes (2). Statins and fibrates and two families of lipid lowering drugs widely prescribed to decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels. (3) One of the most serious adverse effects of both of these groups of drugs is rhabdomyolysis; the breakdown of muscle cells resulting in renal damage. (4) In this article we present the case of an HIV positive patient undergoing chiropractic care for side effects associated with HIV drug therapy and fibromyalgia who developed severe rhabdomyolysis while taking a lipid lowering drug (200mg/day) and a protease inhibitor.