Renal function

The kidney is a privileged target for toxic agents because of the following  

Amphotericin B, arsenic trioxide, mitoxantrone, levocamitine, mycophenolate, mofetil, tacrolimus, naproxen, contract agents 

Amlodipine, benazepril, captopril, enalapril, felodipine, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, losartan 

---

Description of Method. Creatine is an organic acid found in muscle tissue that supplies energy for muscle contractions. One of its metabolic products is creatinine, which is excreted in urine. Because the concentration of creatinine in urine and serum is an important indication of renal function, rapid methods for its analysis are clinically important. In this method the rate of reaction between creatinine and picrate in an alkaline medium is used to determine the concentration of creatinine in urine. Under the conditions of the analysis, the reaction is first-order in picrate, creatinine, and hydroxide. 

Penicillamine (29) can be effective in patients with refractory RA and may delay progression of erosions, but adverse effects limit its useflilness. The most common adverse side effects for penicillamine are similar to those of parenteral gold therapy, ie, pmritic rash, protein uria, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Decreased or altered taste sensation is a relatively common adverse effect for penicillamine. A monthly blood count, platelet count, and urinalysis are recommended, and also hepatic and renal function should be periodically monitored. Penicillamine is teratogenic and should not be used during pregnancy. 

Cardiac nuclear imaging using Tc -red blood cells can measure the fraction of blood pumped by the heart during each beat. Tc -DTPA and sodium (9-iodohippurate, C H INNaO, are used to measure renal function of the kidney. The enhanced or diminished uptake of... 

The dosage of flucytosine is 150—200 mg/kg orally in four portions every six hours. A 1% flucytosine solution has been developed for intravenous adrninistration. In some countries, a 10% ointment is also available. In patients with normal renal function, flucytosine is seldom toxic, but occasionally severe toxicity may be observed (leukopenia and thrombocytopenia). Plasma levels should be determined and the dose in patients with impaired renal function should be checked. Liver function tests (transaininases and alkaline phosphatase) should be performed regularly. In some patients with high flucytosine plasma levels, hepatic disorders have been observed (24). 

Urea Pharmacokinetics. Pharmacokinetics summarizes the relationships between solute generation, solute removal, and concentration in a patient s blood stream. In the context of hemodialysis, this analysis is most readily appHed to urea, which has, as a consequence, become a surrogate for other uremic toxins in the quantitation of therapy and in attempts to describe its adequacy. In the simplest case, a patient is assumed to have no residual renal function. Urea is generated from the breakdown of dietary protein, accumulates in a single pool equivalent to the patient s fluid volume, and is removed uniformly from that pool during hemodialysis. A mass balance around the patient yields the following differential equation ... 

Hemodialysis with microencapsulated urease and an ammonia ion adsorbent, zirconium phosphate [13772-29-7], has been used (247) to delay the onset of dialysis therapy in patients retaining some renal function, and to reduce the time between dialysis treatment. 

The polyene Amph B (intravenous formulation) has the broadest spectrum, is fungicidal and shows its superiority in immunosuppressed patients. Its only drawback is its infusion-related toxicity and its negative influence on renal function. Acute reactions to Amph B - usually fever chills, rigor and nausea - can be... 

Agents acting in the proximal tubule are seldom used to treat hypertension. Treatment is usually initiated with a thiazide-type diuretic. Chlorthalidone and indapamide are structurally different from thiazides but are functionally related. If renal function is severely impaired (i.e., serum creatinine above 2.5 mg/dl), a loop diuretic is needed. A potassium-sparing agent may be given with the diuretic to reduce the likelihood of hypokalemia. 

In vitro studies in human liver fractions indicated that azacitidine may be metabolized by the liver. Azacitidine and its metabolites are known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. 

Intestinal absorption of digoxin is less complete compared to digitoxin. In order to improve absorption, acetylated- and methylated-digoxin derivates were developed. Digitoxin is metabolised in hepatic microsomal enzymes and can be cleared independently from renal function. The therapeutical serum level of digoxin is 0.5-2.0 ng/ml and 10-35 ng/ml of digitoxin. Steady state plateau of therapeutic plasma concentrations is reached after 4-5 half-life-times using standard daily doses [5]. 

Under certain circumstances, and very rarely, the inhibition of gluconeogenesis by metformin may suppress lactic acid metabolism and precipitate a potentially fatal lactic acidosis. Impairment of renal function, liver disease, alcoholism, conditions that give rise to increased lactate production (e.g. congestive heart failure, infections) are therefore contraindications for the application of metformin. 

The older adult is more susceptible to the nephrotoxic effects of the cephalosporins particularly if renal function is already diminished because of age or disease. If renal impairment is present, a lower dosage and monitoring of blood creatinine levels are indicated. Bood creatinine levels greater than 4 mg/dL indicate serious renal impairment. In elderly patients with decreased renal function, a dosage adjustment may be necessary. 

It is important to use the tetracyclines cautiously in patients witii renal function impairment, hi addition, doses greater that 2 g d can be extremely damaging to die liver. The nurse should carefully check die expiration dates of die tetracyclines before administration because degradation of the tetracyclines can occur after degradation, the agents are highly toxic to the kidneys. 

INEFFECTIVE TISSUE PERFUSION RENAL The patient taking an aminoglycoside is at risk for nephrotoxicity. The nurse measures and records the intake and output and notifies the primary health care provider if the output is less than 750 ml/day. It is important to keep a record of the fluid intake and output as well as a daily weight to assess hydration and renal function. The nurse encourages fluid intake to 2000 ml/day (if the patient s condition permits). Any changes in the intake and output ratio or in the appearance of the urine may indicate nephrotoxicity. The nurse reports these types of changes to the primary health care provider promptly. The primary health care provider may order daily laboratory tests (ie, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen [BUN]) to monitor renal function. The nurse reports any elevation in the creatinine or BUN level to tiie primary health care provider because an elevation may indicate renal dysfunction. 

Administration may result in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia Signs of renal impairment include elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels. Periodic renal function tests are usually performed during therapy. 

RISK FOR INEFFECTIVE TISSUE PERFUSION RENAL When the patient is taking a drag tiiat is potentially toxic to die kidneys, die nurse must carefully monitor fluid intake and output. In some instances, die nurse may need to perform hourly measurements of die urinary output. Periodic laboratory tests are usually ordered to monitor the patient s response to therapy and to detect toxic drag reactions. Seram creatinine levels and BUN levels are checked frequentiy during the course of therapy to monitor kidney function. If the BUN exceeds 40 mg dL or if the serum creatinine level exceeds 3 mg cIL, the primary health care provider may discontinue the drug therapy or reduce the dosage until renal function improves. 

FLUCONAZOLE Because older adults are more likely to have decreased renal function, they are at increased risk for further renal impairment or renal failure. 

---