Principles of drug therapy in patients with renal disease.

Patients with reduced renal function commonly require drug therapy for various associated conditions. Most drugs are fully or partially excreted by the kidney; therefore, drug dosage regimens often need to be adjusted in order to provide safe yet effective treatment for patients with renal disease. In addition, certain therapeutic agents have potential nephrotoxicity and pharmacologic actions that may jeopardize already compromised renal function. Understanding of drug pharmacology, the therapeutic dose and the speed of drug elimination in a given patient will lead to correct assessment of the drug regimen.