More About the Causes

Injury and Trauma

Rhabdomyolysis results from a direct injury to muscle fibers. A muscle structure called the sarcolemma becomes damaged and the cells leak from it into the blood stream.

Broken bones and serious fractures can also lead to rhabdomyolysis.

Infections

Legionnaires' disease, a rare is a lung infection caused by a bacteria called Legionella pneumophila can cause rhabdomyolysis. The bacteria may invade and harm muscle cells. Many antibiotics are can be used to combat Legionella bacteria

Viruses can cause rhabdomyolysis. Especially influenza, both types A and B. It appears that the viruses enter and assault the muscle cells generating a toxin. Other viral agents include: Epstein-Barr, parainfluenza, cytomegalovirus, and herpes.

Metabolic and genetic factors

People with genetic defects in their muscles can get rhabdomyolysis. In these cases the muscle cannot used a chemical the body produces for energy called ATP. During exercise the body does not correctly use this chemical resulting in misplaced energy and the destruction of cells.

Drugs and Toxins

Toxin-mediated rhabdomyolysis may result from substance abuse, including abuse of the following: Ethanol, Methanol, Ethylene glycol and Isopropanol
Illegal drugs such as Heroin, Methadone, Barbiturates, Cocaine, Amphetamine, (MDMA, ecstasy)
and (LSD)

Rhabdomyolysis can also result from prescription and nonprescription medications such as
Antihistamines , Salicylates, Fibric acid derivatives (eg, bezafibrate, clofibrate, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil). Anesthetic and paralytic agents, Quinine, Corticosteroids, Statins including Lovastatin. More on Statins

Other causes

Heavy exercise in children cause rhabdomyolysis.

Shaken baby syndrome can lead to rhabdomyolysis.

Extreme cold exposure and heatstroke are causes of rhabdomyolysis.

Snake Bites can cause rhabdomyolysis.