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Home / About Myositis / Toxic Myopathies

Toxic Myopathies

Toxic myopathies can be caused by many drugs and toxins. Cholesterol lowering medications, particularly the “statins”, may be the most commonly prescribed drugs that can cause a toxic myopathy. Symptoms of weakness and pain often develop over a short period of time. Usually, patients with toxic myopathies improve rapidly once the offending medication is stopped. Occasionally, however, patients who start out with a toxic myopathy may develop prolonged symptoms.

Risk Groups

Men and women of all ages may develop a toxic myopathy.

Symptoms

  • The gradual onset of weakness over weeks or months, often after starting a new medication
  • Difficulty rising from a low-seated chair or combing one’s hair
  • Torso or “core” weakness
  • Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
  • Muscle pain

Diagnostic Tests

  1. Your doctor will ask for a complete medical history and will perform a thorough physical examination.
  2. Blood work will be obtained.
  3. Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction tests may be performed.
  4. Magenetic resonance imaging (MRI) of affected muscle may be requested.
  5. After the doctor sees you and reviews the results of your testing, we may recommend that you stop taking one or more medications. In some cases, a muscle biopsy may be required to confirm the diagnosis of a toxic myopathy. This is a minor procedure that can be performed by a doctor at the Johns Hopkins Myositis Center.
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All information contained within the Johns Hopkins Rheumatology website is intended for educational purposes only. Physicians and other health care professionals are encouraged to consult other sources and confirm the information contained within this site. Consumers should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something they may have read on this website.

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