[QUOTE]Defined as a disorder involving injury to the kidney caused by toxic effects of the contents of muscle cells, rhabdomyolysis can become fatal. Baycol was the first statin directly linked to death because of rhabdomyolysis.

When the muscle is damaged from rhabdomyolysis, it releases pigments from the muscle and blood into the bloodstream. The kidney then filters the pigments out of the blood and it accumulates in the kidney and blocks up the filtering portion of the kidney, causing kidney failure.

Venture Man,

there's no doubt Lipitor, as most other drugs, has very nasty side effects in some people.

I was very surprised to learn that it can be beneficial to people with certain kidney diseases. :)
A study was done in 2003 by Bianchi et al that suggests that statins, when combined with ACE inhibitors and ARBs, may reduce proteinuria and SLOW the progression of kidney disease. (A controlled, prospective study of the effects of atorvastatin on proteinuria and progression of kidney disease). I thought I'd mention it. This could be the reason my nephrologist insisted I stay on the statin when I discontinued it due to certain side effects.

Flowergirl