[Drug-induced nephropathy]

Abstract

Drug-induced nephropathy is an important cause of renal injury which is reversible when detected early. Unfortunately, the clinical signs may not be apparent in the early phases and the nephropathy may become evident only at an advanced stage with an acute deterioration of the renal functions or chronic renal insufficiency. It is particularly important not only to know the nephrotoxic potential of the different drug groups, but especially to recognize the patient's risk factors that could be modified or that should preclude the use of these drugs. The presence of comorbid conditions such as older age, diabetes mellitus and congestive heart failure significantly influences the patient's ability to recover from the toxic effects. Many drugs can injure the kidneys, but they cause renal injury via only a few common mechanisms. The aim of the present review is to examine the main clinical presentations of drug-induced nephropathy.