Nephrotoxicity from Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

We categorize the three types of renal dysfunction associated with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID): Acute renal failure, acute interstitial nephritis, and hyperkalemia. The paper provides clinical examples of each type, discusses pathophysiology, and describes response to therapy, in addition to outlining the usefulness of labeled leukocyte nuclear studies and kidney biopsy. We conclude that these drugs are relatively common causes of renal dysfunction, particularly in selected subpopulations.