PPIs and Acute Interstitial Nephritis

A case series and literature review indicate that all five commercially available PPIs are associated with acute interstitial nephritis.

Of the standard therapies prescribed by gastroenterologists, proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) have one of the highest safety profiles (Journal Watch Gastroenterology Sep 30 2003). However, several case reports have suggested a link between PPI use and the development of acute interstitial nephritis (AIN). Now, researchers have reported results from a retrospective case series from two teaching hospitals in Australia. AIN cases were considered to be PPI-related if medical records indicated that PPI initiation was the only medication change made before AIN diagnosis.

Of the 28 AIN cases identified, 18 (64%) were associated with the use of PPIs (omeprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole, or rabeprazole). Case patients had a median age of 74 and had u…

Reviewing Author

David A. Johnson, MD