NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are a class of drugs used to control pain and reduce fever. In higher doses, they also mediate inflammation and swelling. (See References 1) NSAIDs typically act by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins and have a direct antagonistic effect on its receptors. NSAIDs are "nephrotoxic" to the kidney and have been linked to acute deterioration of renal function, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. (See References 4)
Renal Syndrome
NSAIDs present no risk for patients with intact renal function unless they have pre-existing risk factors, such as dehydration, for an acute hemodynamic effect. However, NSAIDs cause pronounced declines in the renal function within hours in the stressed kidney by reducing the renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. (See References 2) Furthermore, prolonged use of NSAIDs increase the risk of permanent renal damage in patients with already impaired renal function, adds the National Center for Biotechnology Information (See References 2)
Acute Interstitial Nephritis
Acute interstitial nephritis is the acute inflammation of the kidney. The adverse effects of certain medications, notably NSAIDs, can cause acute interstitial nephritis, a common cause of acute renal injury. It is usually a result of the drug hypersensitivity reaction, commonly known as allergy, but may also be caused by other factors, including infection, degenerative process and vascular disease. (See References 4) Renal failure is often reversible after the withdrawn of the offending drugs or the treatment of the underlying disease, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. (See References 4)
Acute Renal Failure
NSAIDs cause acute kidney failure by narrowing the lumens, or cavities, of the blood vessels in the kidney, known as vasoconstriction, and blocking the synthesis of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid, the precursor of prostaglandins, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. (See References 3) NSAID drugs are most associated with acute renal failures, but there are cases where patients may present with chronic renal failure. (See References 3)
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