Drug-induced kidney diseases.

Drug-induced kidney disease constitutes an important cause of acute renal failure and chronic kidney disease in present day clinical practice. Different classes of drugs, by virtue of immunological mechanisms or direct toxicity initiate certain stereotyped renal responses. For most patients suffering from drug-induced nephropathy common risk factors which precipitate the adverse effects include: old age, volume -depleted state, pre-existing renal dysfunction and coexisting use of other nephrotoxins. Although it is impossible to present all the drugs causing renal disease, a few prototype drugs are mentioned. In a case of undiagnosed renal disease a possibility of drug-induced renal failure should be kept as the prompt removal of the drug and supportive management can reverse the renal dysfunction to a large extent.