Cholesterol drug and antibiotic mix caused man’s death

A MAN died after a toxic reaction between one of the world’s most popular cholesterol lowering drugs and a common antibiotic triggered a deadly muscle-wasting disease.

John Devereux, 58, from Greenrath, Co Tipperary, died earlier this year from a combination of devastating conditions after his cholesterol-busting statin therapy drug, Lipitor — used by 26 million Americans and thousands of Irish patients — reacted with fucidic acid and caused rhabdomyolysis.

It triggered kidney failure, and Mr Devereux, who had type 1 diabetes since 1966, contracted necrotising fasciitis, the deadly flesh-eating bug, and died on March 2.