Reversible myopathy and myotonia following administration of a hypocholesterolemic agent

Abstract

The present cases are unique in the production of reversible muscle weakness and clinical myotonia by a drug with a cholesterol lowering effect. Although the mechanism whereby these effects on muscle were produced is not clear, sterol analysis of one muscle biopsy specimen demonstrating accumulation of desmosterol and animal experiments both suggest that they may be related to effects of the drug on muscle sterols.