nephrotoxic
Meaning of nephrotoxic: Nephrotoxic describes a substance capable of damaging the kidneys, a property considered when prescribing certain medications or evaluating toxic exposures.
Definition of nephrotoxic
Nephrotoxic describes a substance, such as a medication, chemical, or toxin, that has the potential to damage the kidneys. Because the kidneys filter blood and concentrate waste products for excretion, they can be exposed to higher concentrations of certain substances than other organs, making them particularly vulnerable to injury from some agents.
A range of medications carry some degree of nephrotoxic potential, and this risk is often considered when selecting a drug, determining its dose, or deciding how closely kidney function should be monitored during treatment. Nephrotoxic effects can be temporary and reversible or can result in lasting kidney damage, depending on the substance, dose, and duration of exposure.
Kidney function is typically monitored through blood and urine testing when a nephrotoxic medication or exposure is a concern, particularly in individuals who already have reduced kidney function.
Used in a sentence
The medication was used cautiously given its known nephrotoxic potential in patients with reduced kidney function.
Good to know
The nephrotoxic potential of a medication is often weighed against its expected benefit, and kidney function may be monitored more closely rather than avoiding the medication entirely.
Word origin
Where “nephrotoxic” comes from
Formed from nephro-, from Greek nephros, meaning "kidney," and toxic, from Greek toxikon, meaning "poison."