Rhabdomyolysis Associated With Olanzapine Treatment in a Child With Autism

• Published in: Pediatric emergency care Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 41 - 42
• Main Authors: Karakaya, Pakize, Yiş, Uluç, Kurul, Semra Hz, Türkmen, Mehmet Atilla
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc 01-01-2010; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
• Subjects: Adolescent; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Autistic Disorder - drug therapy; Benzodiazepines - adverse effects; Benzodiazepines - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Blood. Blood and plasma substitutes. Blood products. Blood cells. Blood typing. Plasmapheresis. Apheresis; Creatine Kinase - blood; Fluid Therapy - methods; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Intensive care medicine; Male; Medical sciences; Rhabdomyolysis - chemically induced; Rhabdomyolysis - enzymology; Rhabdomyolysis - therapy; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - adverse effects; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Transfusions. Complications. Transfusion reactions. Cell and gene therapy; Human; Dibenzodiazepine derivatives; Intensive care; Atypical antipsychotic; Olanzapine; Neuroleptic; Psychotropic; Dopamine antagonist; Serotonin antagonist; Developmental disorder; Serotonine receptor; Rhabdomyolysis; Thienobenzodiazepine derivatives; Autism; Striated muscle disease; D2 Dopamine receptor; Treatment; Child; Resuscitation
• ISSN: 0749-5161; 1535-1815
• DOI: 10.1097/PEC.0b013e3181c39a22

Children with autism often display difficult behaviors including tantrums, extreme irritability, and physical aggression. There is emerging evidence that olanzapine is useful in decreasing these disruptive behaviors. The most common adverse effects are weight gain and short-term sedation. On the other hand, olanzapine rarely causes rhabdomyolysis. We report a case with rhabdomyolysis in an autistic child just after 2 doses of olanzapine treatment. Initial creatine kinase value was 30,690 IU/L (range, 5-130 U/L), and rhabdomyolysis resolved with hydration and alkalinization over 7 days. Monitoring serum creatine kinase levels may be useful in pediatric cases after initiation of olanzapine treatment.