Nontraumatic causes of rhabdomyolysis include:
- The use of alcohol or illegal drugs such as heroin, cocaine or amphetamines
- Extreme muscle strain, especially in someone who is an untrained athlete; this can happen in elite athletes, too, and it can be more dangerous if there is more muscle mass to break down.
- The use of medications such as antipsychotics or statins, especially when given in high doses
- A very high body temperature(hyperthermia) or heat stroke
- Seizures or delirium tremens
- A metabolic disorder such as diabetic ketoacidosis
- Diseases of the muscles (myopathy) such as congenital muscle enzyme deficiency or Duchenne's muscular dystrophy
- Viral infections such as the flu, HIV, or herpes simplex virus
- Bacterial infections leading to toxins in tissues or the bloodstream (sepsis)
A previous history of rhabdomyolysis also increases the risk of having rhabdomyolysis again.
