Nephrotoxicity istoxicity in thekidneys. It is apoisonous effect of somesubstances, both toxic chemicals andmedications, onkidney function.[1] There are various forms,[2] and some drugs may affect kidney function in more than one way.Nephrotoxins are substances displaying nephrotoxicity.
Nephrotoxicity should not be confused with some medications predominantly excreted by the kidneys needing their dose adjusted for the decreased kidney function (e.g.,heparin, lithium).
Drug-induced glomerular disease is not common but there are a few drugs that have been implicated. Glomerular lesions occur primarily through immune-mediated pathways rather than through direct drug toxicity.
Heroin andPamidronate are known to cause focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Gold salts therapy can cause membranous nephropathy[4]
Aristolochic acid, found in some plants and in some herbal supplements derived from those plants, has been shown to have nephrotoxic effects on humans.
Rhubarb contains some nephrotoxins which can cause inflammation of thekidneys in some people.
Fumaric acid, aka food additive E297, is nephrotoxic in high doses[5]
Nephrotoxicity is usually monitored through a simple blood test. A decreasedcreatinine clearance indicates poor kidney function. In interventional radiology, a patient's creatinine clearance levels are all checked prior to a procedure.[citation needed]
Serum creatinine is another measure ofkidney function, which may be more useful clinically when dealing with patients with early kidney disease. Normal creatinine level is between 80 - 120 μmol/L.[citation needed]
Some of the workplaces where there is a higher risk of nephrotoxicity can include hospitals, laboratories, and sanitation jobs. A few of the main nephrotoxins that workers in these settings might be exposed to can include heavy metals, cleaning solvents, chemicals, and even compounds that can be found in certain medicines.[7][8][9] There is a higher risk in these workplaces due to these workers being exposed to these substances more often. Workers that are employed in these workplaces can be exposed through the inhalation, dermal contact, or ingestion of these substances. For example, laboratory workers have to deal with chemicals like formaldehyde and other solvent-based chemicals.[10] These chemicals can build up in the kidneys.[11][12] Similarly to laboratory workers, healthcare workers can be exposed to some of the substances that can be found in certain medicines.[13] Sanitation workers can be exposed through the cleaning products that they work with. The longer you are exposed to these substances, the higher chance your kidney is going to be affected by the poisonous effects of the nephrotoxins. This means that the kidneys will have a more difficult time filtering waste, and that can lead to nephrotoxicity or kidney disease.[14][15][16]
Nephrotoxicity in the medical workplace arises when nephrotoxic drugs or chemicals are metabolized and form reactive compounds that damage kidney tissue.[17] Substances commonly handled in medical settings, such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, NSAIDs, chemotherapy agents, contrast dyes, and solvent-based chemicals, can generate reactive metabolites during biotransformation in the liver or kidneys. These metabolites contribute to oxidative stress, mitochondrial injury, inflammation, and direct damage to renal tubule cells.[18][19]
A key mechanism involves the formation of reactive oxygen species, which harm proteins, lipids, and DNA within kidney tubules.[20] Other nephrotoxicants, including calcineurin inhibitors and heavy metals, reduce renal blood flow by causing vasoconstriction or endothelial injury. Some drugs, including acyclovir and methotrexate, may also crystallize in the tubules and obstruct urine flow.[21]
About 20 percent of nephrotoxicity cases are caused by medications, and the risk increases when individuals handle multiple nephrotoxic substances.[22] In the workplace, healthcare and laboratory employees may be exposed during the preparation, administration, or disposal of hazardous drugs and chemicals. Compounds such as antineoplastic agents, formaldehyde, and heavy-metal containing substances can produce harmful intermediates similar to those generated during metabolism in patients.[23][24] Understanding these reactions highlights the need for strict exposure controls and monitoring for workers who regularly handle nephrotoxic chemicals.
Preventing nephrotoxicity in medical and hospital settings requires a multi step approach, including preventative measures and control and response to people that have been exposed. This begins with integrating in substitutions for harmful nephrotoxic chemicals, creating exposure controls, proper administrative policies, and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).[25][26][27][28][29][30] Another important step is control and response, early detection of symptoms, and symptom monitoring for workers and patients that may have higher exposure levels to chemicals that cause nephrotoxicity.[27]
Medical settings have several different ways of preventing and minimizing the risk of nephrotoxicity. Substitutions to nephrotoxic chemicals commonly used in the medical setting should include replacing disinfectants, solvents, antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) with safer chemicals for healthcare workers and patients to use.[25] Hospital settings should also provide exposure controls like closed system drug transfer devices, maintaining good ventilation in rooms where drugs are being used, and biological safety cabinets.[27] Solid administrative controls like proper labelling, hazard communication, training programs for employees, and using Safety Data Sheets (SDS) can minimize the risk of exposure further.[26] Employees should be required to wear proper PPE when handling nephrotoxic substances: including gloves, full coverage safety gowns, and respiratory protection over their mouth and nose.[25]
Control and response is also important, and can include baseline and periodic kidney function testing among exposed workers and patients,[28] and having protocols for hazardous waste disposal/management and contamination cleanup.[26] If there is a chemical spill or direct exposure, there should be spill kits, emergency eyewash stations, and immediate medical attention and evaluations offered.[26] Using good waste disposal protocols can also help prevent contamination and cross-contamination of healthcare workers and patients.[29] Patients that must be given nephrotoxic substances should have kidney testing and monitoring evaluations done before and after the drugs are administered to ensure that they receive medical treatment as needed for any resulting nephrotoxicity symptoms.[30]
^Scammell, Madeleine K.; Sennett, Caryn M.; Petropoulos, Zoe E.; Kamal, Jeanne; Kaufman, James S. (May 2019). "Environmental and Occupational Exposures in Kidney Disease".Seminars in Nephrology.39 (3):230–243.doi:10.1016/j.semnephrol.2019.02.001.ISSN1558-4488.PMID31054622.
^Scammell, Madeleine K.; Sennett, Caryn M.; Petropoulos, Zoe E.; Kamal, Jeanne; Kaufman, James S. (May 2019). "Environmental and Occupational Exposures in Kidney Disease".Seminars in Nephrology.39 (3):230–243.doi:10.1016/j.semnephrol.2019.02.001.ISSN1558-4488.PMID31054622.
^Scammell, Madeleine K.; Sennett, Caryn M.; Petropoulos, Zoe E.; Kamal, Jeanne; Kaufman, James S. (May 2019). "Environmental and Occupational Exposures in Kidney Disease".Seminars in Nephrology.39 (3):230–243.doi:10.1016/j.semnephrol.2019.02.001.ISSN1558-4488.PMID31054622.
^Patel, Janak B.; Sapra, Amit (2025),"Nephrotoxic Medications",StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing,PMID31985937, retrieved2025-11-26
Selby, A. R., & Hall, R. G., II. (2019). Utilizing the patient care process to minimize the risk of vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity.Journal of Clinical Medicine, 8(6), 781. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8060781
Park, M. Y., & Kang, M.-Y. (2025). Occupational risk factors for kidney disease: A comprehensive review.Journal of Korean Medical Science, 40(31), e224. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e224
