Ebook: Clinical Nephrotoxins: Renal Injury from Drugs and Chemicals

Clinical Nephrotoxins: Renal Injury from Drugs and Chemicals is a comprehensive handbook on all aspects of adverse effects by drugs and chemical substances on the kidneys. The importance of the toxicity of drugs and other substances for the kidneys is increasingly recognized.

The first, general part deals with themes as clinical relevance, renal handling, pharmacovigilance, urinary biomarkers, pharmacological, immunological and cellular aspects of nephrotoxicity, as well as animal and cell culture models. The second part includes the specific drugs; the third part gives the description of environmental and occupational nephrotoxins. The last part deals with the patient with some degree of renal failure, exposed to drugs and chemicals, the progression of renal disease, and how to adapt drug dosage.

In this third and completely revised edition, nine new chapters were added, from proton pump inhibitors to bisphosphonates, phosphate containing laxatives, oxalate, star fruit and smoking. All chapters were extended with up-to-date references.

The book is of interest for the nephrologist, internist, general practitioner, toxicologist, pharmacologist, anesthesiologist, epidemiologist, public health official, pharmaceutical industry, and national drug safety committees, among others.

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DRUG-INDUCED nephropathy is of great interest given the ever-growing number of medications, including herbal, that patients are taking. Also, it has become apparent that there are several environmental and industrial toxins thatcan cause nephropathy. Clinical Nephrotoxins: Renal Injury From Drugs and Chemicals is a hardcover book that explores the mechanisms by which medications, environmental toxins, and industrial toxins can cause renal disease. The book is a 712-page, 35-chapter work, written by 95 international authors.

Most chapters have contributions from multiple authors and provide very good, up-to-date information and a very thorough reference list. Most of the chapters flow very well, often commenting (when applicable) on clinical manifestations, pathology, pathophysiology of renal injury (known or suspected), and preventive measures. However, I will say that a couple of chapters did not follow this form, and I was slightly disappointed with these chapters. All chapters have figures and tables, including pictures of biopsies, when applicable. I found the figures and tables to be quite helpful and aided in my understanding of the topic being presented. Overall, this book provides a very good overview on the mechanisms of drug- and toxin induced nephropathy.Up-to-date information on current clinically relevant medications (including herbal) and worldwide environmental and industrial toxins is provided. It would be a welcome addition to any health care provider's collection of reference books.

Bhavin Patel, PharmD Nephrology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Hennepin County Medical Center Minneapolis, Minnesota American Journal of Kidney Diseases, Vol 42, No 6 (December), 2003: p 1324 1324