Prakt. lékáren. 2014; 10(4): 137-142

Drug-induced kidney injury

Katarína Dobrucká

Oddělení klinické farmacie, Nemocnice na Homolce, Praha

Iatrogenic nephrotoxicity is the cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) in 19 to 25 percent of cases of the overall rate of renal failure.

In critically-ill patients with the presence of risk factors, the rate of medication-related AKI is reported to be 20–30%, of which 6%

require dialysis treatment. The occurrence of drug-induced AKI in elderly patients is as much as 60%. Iatrogenic AKI is associated

with a longer hospital stay, increased treatment costs, and higher mortality rate. The article presents an overview of the mechanisms

of iatrogenic nephrotoxicity with recommendations on preventive strategies when administering drugs with nephrotoxic potential;

the options of prevention or early diagnosis of kidney injury by identifying specific biomarkers; the use of computer applications

with a focus on improving safety in drug prescription; as well as the advantages of team collaboration of specialists (physician, clinical

pharmacist, nurse).

Keywords: drugs, nephrotoxicity

Published: August 1, 2014  Show citation