Clozapine-induced acute interstitial nephritis

Acute interstitial nephritis is a common cause of acute kidney injury. Acute interstitial nephritis is most commonly induced by drug although the cause may also be infective, autoimmune, or idiopathic. Although eosinophilia and eosinophiluria may help identify this disease entity, the gold standard for diagnosis remains renal biopsy. Prompt diagnosis is important because discontinuation of the culprit drugs can reduce further kidney injury. We present a patient with an underlying psychiatric disorder who was subsequently diagnosed with clozapine-induced acute interstitial nephritis. Monitoring of renal function during clozapine therapy is recommended for early recognition of this rare side-effect.