Direct renin inhibitor induced renal failure

Aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor, is a novel antihypertensive agent with placebo-like tolerability. The patient developed acute renal failure after addition of aliskiren to combination of diuretic, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and aldosterone antagonist. This case highlights the point that acute renal failure can occur as an adverse effect of aliskiren. Because there is no conclusive evidence about the safety of aliskiren when used in combination with multiple drugs that inhibit renin angiotensin aldosterone system, caution should be exercised while initiating this drug in patients already on combination of diuretic, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and aldosterone antagonist.