Acute Interstitial Nephritis: Complications Associated with Chronic Prescription Medication Usage

Renal failure is a leading cause of health complications, including early death, for our elderly population. When caring for a loved one who experiencing complications associated with a renal disorder, it is important to understand the extent of that complication and what treatment options are available.

In patients with a condition known AIN, acute interstitial nephritis, the complications of the kidneys and associated renal function can lead to life altering impairment. As a condition that is characterized by a sudden onset of deterioration, many patients, and their families, are not even aware of the complication in the renal system until the disorder has progressed to an extent where treatment is not viable.

Most often, AIN is the direct result of complications associated with chronic antibiotic or prescription medication usage in the elderly adult. In some cases, the infection, itself, may bring about complications of the renal system. In fact, the drugs most commonly associated with a sudden onset of acute interstitial nephritis include the recurring and chronic use of NSAIDs, diuretics, antibiotics such as Cipro and Vancocin, and even the use of anti-viral medications such as Zovirax.

To concretely confirm the diagnosis of AIN, acute interstitial nephritis, the nephrologist will need to run a series of tests including a renal biopsy. In many cases, by the time the nephrologist has evaluated and determined a renal biopsy is needed, the complications associated with renal failure have already progressed extensively.

To treat AIN, the nephrologist will first order the discontinuation of any medications which may have induced the complication. Often, this requires a collaborative approach to treatment as most medications can not be simply discontinued without finding some alternative treatment for the underlying health condition. Next, the nephrologist may want to boost the function of the renal system, especially when AIN is diagnosed early, by using corticosteroid therapy as a form of treatment in the elderly patient.