Abstract

Exposure to medications and exogenous toxins, the kidney’s ability to detoxify and excrete waste products fails, a condition known as nephrotoxicity. One study found that drug-induced conditions are reported in 60 percent of hospitalised patients. Understanding the various types of nephrotoxcity such as proximal renal tubular acidosis, rhabdomylosis, crystal nephropathy, acute tubular necrosis, and glomerulonephritis allows us to detect the modern biomarkers (proteinuria, KIM-1&NGAL, type 4 collagen, etc.) that aid in the early diagnosis of the disease due to the low sensitivity of the primitive biomarkers such as blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels are detectable at later stage of progression. A pharmacist's involvement in managing drug-induced nephrotoxicity is discussed in this review along with information on signs, risk factors, types of nephrotoxicity, biomarkers, prevention and treatment.