Drug induced nephrotoxicity- A mechanistic approach

Mol Biol Rep. 2023 Aug;50(8):6975-6986. doi: 10.1007/s11033-023-08573-4. Epub 2023 Jun 28.

Abstract

The main goal of the treatment of patients is its effectiveness and safety. However, all currently prescribed drugs being used also have certain adverse effects, which might be seen as an unavoidable but necessary cost of pharmacotherapy. The kidney is the primary organ for xenobiotics elimination, making it particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of drugs and their metabolites during their excretion from the body. Moreover, certain medications have a preferential nephrotoxicity potential, which means that using them increases the risk of kidney injury. Drug nephrotoxicity is, therefore, both a significant problem and a complication of pharmacotherapy. It should be noted that, there is presently no accepted definition of drug-induced nephrotoxicity and no established diagnostic criteria. The current review briefly describes the pathogenic mechanism of drug-induced nephrotoxicity, the various basic drugs with nephrotoxicity potential and the renal biomarkers for the treatment of the drug-related kidney damage.

Keywords: Acute kidney injury; Drug induced nephrotoxicity; NSAIDs; Renal biomarkers; Renal impairement.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Kidney Diseases* / pathology
  • Renal Insufficiency*