Severe rhabdomyolysis after doxylamine overdose

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Because of its ready availability in over-the-counter sleep preparations, doxylamine succinate may be used in suicide attempts. Recognition of the potential for rhabdomyolysis and institution of vigorous treatment may prevent acute renal failure in patients who have taken an overdose of the drug. The authors present a case in which severe rhabdomyolysis developed and renal function was normal despite extraordinarily high levels of creatine kinase and doxylamine.