Effect of high-dose etodolac on renal function

Previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated transient effects on renal function by etodolac, 200 mg b.i.d. The current study assessed the effects of a larger dose of etodolac (500 mg b.i.d.) to explore the time course of its renal effects and to determine whether the transient effect would become more prolonged with a larger dose. We studied 10 normal subjects and nine patients with renal insufficiency, examining the effects of the first 500 mg dose of etodolac as well as 4 days of b.i.d. administration. In both groups, etodolac transiently decreased fractional excretions of sodium and chloride and urinary prostaglandin E2. In patients, etodolac also transiently decreased inulin and para-aminohippuric acid clearances and urinary 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha. Chronic administration caused no changes in renal function in either group. In summary, in this relatively small group of patients, high-dose etodolac caused only transient, fully reversible effects on renal function, the cumulative effect of which was negligible.