Drug-Induced Acute Kidney Injury: A Focus on Risk Assessment for Prevention

Abstract

Drugs are the third to fifth leading cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients following sepsis and hypotension. Susceptibilities and exposures for development of AKI have been identified, and some are modifiable allowing for the possibility of AKI prevention or mitigation of AKI severity. Using drug therapies for prevention of AKI has been attempted but with little success in human studies, so we must rely on risk-assessment strategies for prevention. The purpose of this article is to review the risk factors, risk-assessment strategies, prevention, and management of drug-induced AKI with emphasis on risk assessment.

Keywords: Acute kidney injury; Drug-induced acute kidney injury; Drug-related side effects and adverse drug reactions; Prevention; Risk assessment; Risk factors.