Introduction to Renal Pharmacy

Abstract

Renal dysfunction is a common reason for requiring pharmacists to adjust their thinking when optimizing a drug dosing regimen. However, many pharmacists find this clinical task quite daunting as there are many factors to consider, such as whether renal clearance alone is affected, if renal metabolism is also affected, if there renal pathology to consider, if this an acute situation or more chronic or even both, and if renal replacement therapy indicated. But if each question is considered in a logical stepwise manner, then often this process becomes much easier to understand. There may still be unanswered questions at the end of this process, but usually there is a great clarity around these and whether they are going to impact the patient clinically.