Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Early Detection of Drug-Induced Renal Hemodynamic Dysfunction Using Sonographic Technology in Rats
06:38

Early Detection of Drug-Induced Renal Hemodynamic Dysfunction Using Sonographic Technology in Rats

Published on: March 11, 2016

Cephalosporin-induced nephrotoxicity: does it exist?

G G Zhanel1

  • 1Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.

DICP : the Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|March 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Certain cephalosporins, like cephaloridine and cephalothin, can cause kidney damage (nephrotoxicity), especially with aminoglycosides. Other cephalosporins generally do not increase this risk.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Nephrology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Cephalosporins are widely used antibiotics.
  • Nephrotoxicity is a potential adverse effect of some medications.
  • Concomitant therapy with aminoglycosides can alter drug toxicity profiles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review existing literature on cephalosporin-induced nephrotoxicity.
  • To evaluate the impact of concurrent aminoglycoside administration on this risk.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of animal and human studies.
  • Analysis of data on various cephalosporin agents.
  • Assessment of combination therapy effects.

Main Results:

  • Cephaloridine and cephalothin are implicated in nephrotoxicity, alone and with aminoglycosides.
  • Limited evidence suggests other cephalosporins rarely cause nephrotoxicity.
  • Ceftazidime-induced nephrotoxicity observed in patients with renal impairment.
  • Cefazolin shows animal nephrotoxicity but not reported in humans.
  • Other cephalosporins do not increase aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity risk.

Conclusions:

  • Cephaloridine and cephalothin pose a nephrotoxicity risk.
  • Ceftazidime requires dosage adjustment in renally impaired patients.
  • Most cephalosporins appear safe regarding nephrotoxicity, especially with aminoglycosides.

More Related Videos

Induction of Nephrotic Syndrome in Mice by Retrobulbar Injection of Doxorubicin and Prevention of Volume Retention by Sustained Release Aprotinin07:38

Induction of Nephrotic Syndrome in Mice by Retrobulbar Injection of Doxorubicin and Prevention of Volume Retention by Sustained Release Aprotinin

Published on: May 6, 2018

Acute Kidney Injury Model Induced by Cisplatin in Adult Zebrafish13:25

Acute Kidney Injury Model Induced by Cisplatin in Adult Zebrafish

Published on: May 15, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Nephrons01:10

Nephrons

The kidneys are intricate organs with millions of working units known as nephrons. Each nephron features two major structures: the renal corpuscle, which facilitates blood plasma filtration, and the renal tubule, which handles the glomerular filtrate. Blood supply is directly linked to the nephrons. The renal corpuscle consists of the glomerulus, a capillary network, and the Bowman's capsule, a double-walled epithelial structure that encases the glomerulus. The filtering of blood plasma happens...
Nonlinear Pharmacokinetics: Causes of Nonlinearity01:22

Nonlinear Pharmacokinetics: Causes of Nonlinearity

Nonlinearity in drug pharmacokinetics is caused by various factors influencing how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted. Understanding these nonlinear processes is crucial for predicting drug behavior in the body and optimizing drug dosing regimens.
Nonlinear drug absorption can occur when the process is rate-limited by solubility, carrier-mediated transport systems, or saturation of the presystemic gut wall or hepatic metabolism. For instance, high doses of riboflavin...
Drug Toxicity: Dose-Dependent Reactions01:24

Drug Toxicity: Dose-Dependent Reactions

Drug toxicities can be stratified into pharmacological, pathological, or genotoxic based on their mechanisms. The incidence and severity of these toxicities generally increase with the drug's concentration in the body and exposure time.Pharmacological toxicity is evident when the therapeutic effects of drugs overshoot into adverse reactions in a predictable, dose-dependent manner. Central nervous system (CNS) depression from barbiturates is a classic example, with effects escalating from...
Drug toxicity: Idiosyncratic Reactions01:16

Drug toxicity: Idiosyncratic Reactions

Idiosyncratic drug reactions represent abnormal chemical responses that vary significantly among individuals, ranging from extreme sensitivity to low doses to insensitivity to high doses. These reactions often occur due to the drug's covalent binding with serum proteins, forming a foreign hapten that triggers an immunotoxicological response. The variability in drug reactions has a strong pharmacogenetic foundation, with genetic differences crucial in how individuals metabolize drugs. For...
Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction01:24

Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction

Nephrotic Syndrome is a chronic kidney disorder defined by clinical findings such as severe proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema. These symptoms result from damage to the glomeruli, the kidney’s filtering units, increasing their permeability to proteins.Definition and Meaning:Proteinuria, defined as the loss of more than 3.5 grams of protein per day in adults, is a crucial feature of nephrotic syndrome. This condition is often accompanied by edema, the accumulation of fluid...
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention01:30

Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention

Accurate diagnosis and effective prevention are critical in managing Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), which is linked to high mortality rates ranging from 10% to 80%. Timely recognition of at-risk patients and careful monitoring can significantly reduce the likelihood of kidney damage.Diagnostic Assessments:The diagnostic process starts with a comprehensive medical history to identify prerenal, intrarenal, and postrenal causes.Prerenal causes, such as dehydration, hypotension, or blood loss, should...