Enhancement by potent diuretics of renal tubular necrosis induced by cephaloridine

1. Administration of frusemide or ethacrynic acid to cephaloridine-treated mice increased both the incidence and extent of proximal renal tubular necrosis compared with that obtained in cephaloridine-treated control mice.2. Administration of frusemide to cephaloridine-treated rats produced significant changes in urine output, electrolyte excretion and proteinuria, and plasma urea nitrogen and creatinine values were significantly increased compared with controls or rats that received frusemide or cephaloridine alone.3. Histological examination of the kidneys showed a higher incidence and greater extent of tubular necrosis in rats that received both frusemide and cephaloridine.4. It is suggested that this adverse drug interaction may have contributed to the deterioration in renal function observed in some patients treated with diuretics and cephaloridine concurrently.