Trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole-associated rhabdomyolysis in an HIV-infected patient.

We describe a case of rhabdomyolysis associated with trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) in a HIV-infected patient. A 33-year-old African American man with newly diagnosed AIDS initially presented with persistent, high-grade fevers suspected to be TMP-SMZ-related drug fever. The antibiotic was discontinued while in the hospital, but the patient was restarted on TMP-SMZ following discharge. Two days later, he returned to the hospital with severe muscle pain, acute renal failure and a significantly elevated creatine phosphokinase consistent with rhabdomyolysis. The patient gradually improved following discontinuation of TMP-SMZ.