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Medicines That Can Cause Acute Renal Failure

Topic Overview

Many medicines can cause acute renal failure. Examples include:

  • Antibiotics, such as aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, amphotericin B, bacitracin, and vancomycin.
  • Blood pressure medicines called ACE inhibitors (such as captopril and ramipril) and angiotensin receptor blockers (such as candesartan and valsartan).
  • Medicines used for cancer treatment (chemotherapy), such as cisplatin, carboplatin, and methotrexate.
  • Dyes (contrast media) used in medical imaging tests.
  • Illegal drugs, such as heroin and methamphetamine.
  • Medicines used to treat HIV (protease inhibitors), such as indinavir and ritonavir.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or aspirin.
  • Ulcer medicines such as cimetidine.

Other chemicals, such as insecticides, herbicides, and ethylene glycol, can also cause acute renal failure.

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Tushar J. Vachharajani, MD, FASN, FACP - Nephrology
Last Revised May 10, 2011

Last Revised: May 10, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Tushar J. Vachharajani, MD, FASN, FACP - Nephrology

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