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Nephrotoxicity is a poisonous effect of some substances, both toxic chemicals and medication, on the kidney. There are various forms of toxicity. ^[1] Nephrotoxicity should not be confused with the fact that some medications have a predominantly renal excretion and need their dose adjusted for the decreased renal function (e.g. heparin).

Nephrotoxins are chemicals displaying nephrotoxicity.

The nephrotoxic effect of most drugs is more profound in patients who already suffer from renal impairment. Some drugs may affect renal function in more than one way.

Contents 1 Types of toxicity 1.1 Cardiovascular 1.2 Direct tubular effect 1.3 Acute interstitial nephritis 1.4 Acute glomerulonephritis 1.5 Causes of diabetes insipidus 1.6 Other nephrotoxins 2 Surveillance 3 References 4 See also

• General: diuretics, β-blockers, vasodilator agents
• Local: ACE inhibitors, ciclosporin.

• Proximal convoluted tubule: Aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g. gentamicin), amphotericin B, cisplatin, radiocontrast media, immunoglobulins, mannitol
• Distal tubule: NSAIDs (e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac), ACE inhibitors, ciclosporin, lithium salts, cyclophosphamide, amphotericin B
• Tubular obstruction: sulphonamides, methotrexate, aciclovir, polyethylene glycol.

• β-lactam antibiotics, vancomycin, rifampicin, sulphonamides, ciprofloxacin, NSAIDs, ranitidine, cimetidine, furosemide, thiazides, phenytoin.

• Penicillamine.

• Lithium salts
• amphotericin B
• fluoride
• demeclocycline
• foscarnet.

• Heavy metals interfere with enzymes of energy metabolism.
• Aristolochic acid, found in some plants and, more dangerously, in some herbal supplements derived from those plants, has been shown to have nephrotoxic effects on humans.

Nephrotoxicity is usually monitored through a simple blood test. An elevated level of creatinine indicates poor renal function. Normal creatinine levels are between 80 - 120 mm/l. In interventional radiology, a patients' creatinine levels are all checked prior to a procedure. Should an elevated creatinine level be found, a special contrast medium or radiocontrast is used which is less harmful for the patient.

Creatinine clearance is another measure of renal function, which may be more useful clinically when dealing with patients with early kidney disease.

1. ^  Galley HF. Can acute renal failure be prevented? J R Coll Surg Edinb 2000;45(1):44-50. Fulltext. PMID 10815380.

• Toxicity
• Neurotoxicity
• Ototoxicity