Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and the kidney

In patients with PG-dependent renal function, NSAID administrationconstantly reduces GFR and RBF in a dose-dependent fashion. In thissituation, the risk of overt acute renal failure is high and should betaken into proper account. In contrast, the incidence of NSAID-relatedrenal structural alterations appears to be very low, yet the absolutenumber of patients may be significant considering the wide use of suchdrugs. Concerning the antiproteinuric effect of NSAIDs, the unfavourableratio risk/benefit does not seem to support their indication in proteinuricnephropathies. The development of PGHS-2 selective inhibitors is promising,and may open new therapeutical strategies in the treatment of theprogression of renal disease.