Effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on renal function in the elderly.

The effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on estimated creatinine clearance (ECC) was studied in a large ambulatory elderly population. ECC of participants using eight different NSAIDs and that of a control group using no drugs were compared. With one exception, ECCs of subjects using NSAIDs were lower than those of subjects using no medications. Results of this study suggest that long-term treatment with NSAIDs results in a decrease in renal function, and the effect on renal function may not be the same with all agents.