Medications that cause misdiagnosis of renal failure..The latter will surprise you

Routine laboratory in hospital admission or before operations is important. Renal functions tests is one of the important routine tests. It includes Urea and creatinine blood levels. A rise in urea and creatinine signifies inability of the kidneys to get rid of them and other waste products as well. However some medications can impair your laboratory results and can cause wrong diagnosis (misdiagnosis) of renal failure.

What are these medications and why they can cause false results?. Let’s go to the answers

The Medications that increase creatinine  blood levels  by reducing creatinine secretion by the kidneys

Diuretics as spironolactone and amiloride.

Cimetidine was one for first drugs used for treatment of heart burn and gastroesophageal reflux diseases. now rarely used being superceded by drugs that offer better medical results and much less side effects.

Antibiotics : Trimethoprim

Some Medications can increase urea production from the liver

Corticosteroid (Cortisone) therapy

      Antibiotics-tetracycline

Medications that increase creatinine blood levels due to interference with creatinine measurement

These Medications can interfere with renal functions laboratory results and cause a misdiagnosis of renal failure.

Antibiotics Cefoxitin second generations cephalosporins class.

Flucytosine is an anti-fungal medication.

Diabetes and the kidneys, Heart Attacks and Strokes

Interference with Urine Analysis Results

On the contrary of False positive; Vitamin C can leads to a false negative urine analysis results

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) one of the commonly ingested vitamins. Surprisingly;It can interfere with urine analysis results. It can cause false negative results for biliribin; glucose and nitrites and leucocytes estrase. (1)

If you had weird rise in your kidney functions and you don’t suffer any medical problems and while you are using any of these medications, tell your doctor. You may repeat the kidney functions tests or stop the medications if feasible like course of antibiotics treatment.   

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