Anesthesia‐induced rhabdomyolysis and malignant hyperthermia occur in response to the same agents and present with similar clinical features. Distinguishing between these diagnoses can be challenging in a clinical crisis yet making the distinction is critical as prompt appropriate management may be life‐saving, whereas delayed recognition and/or inappropriate management will almost certainly result in death. This focused review examines the differences between these conditions and focuses on the emergency management of anesthesia‐induced rhabdomyolysis.