[Nephrotoxic side effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents]

The increasing popularity of non-steroid anti-flammatory drugs has led to the recognition that these agents are capable of producing several distinct clinical syndromes, of which the most important is renal insufficiency caused by prostaglandin synthesis inhibition and drug associated interstitial nephritis. More rare symptoms are hyperkalemia, sodium- and water retention and anaphylaxis. The possible pathogenic mechanisms are reviewed. Patients, treated with NSAID should have renal function check before and during treatment, so that the drug may be stopped immediately if renal function decreases.