Interstitial Nephritis

Interstitial nephritis (say: in-ter-stih-shul nef-rye-tus) is a kidney disorder. The kidneys filter waste and extra fluid from the body. Interstitial nephritis reduces the kidneys’ ability to filter properly.

Interstitial nephritisis a serious condition, but it can be treated. However, in rare cases, it may cause kidney failure. In kidney failure, waste and extra fluid build up and can cause problems with the heart, brain, lungs and other organs.

Interstitial nephritis can be caused by infections, some medicines and conditions that affect the immune system such as lupus.

Types of medicines that can result in interstitial nephritis include antibiotics such as penicillin, sulfonamides and cephalosporins. Many nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and certain diuretics (water pills) can be also associated with interstitial nephritis. Interstitial nephritis may occur 2 or more weeks after you start a medicine. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about a medicine you are taking.

Your doctor will check your medical history and ask if you have any of the following symptoms:

If you have one or more of these symptoms, your doctor may test your urine (called a urinalysis) and your blood.

Your doctor will deal with the cause of interstitial nephritis and treat your symptoms. He or she will treat any infection that may have caused the illness. If a medicine is causing your interstitial nephritis, your doctor will probably have you stop taking the medicine or prescribe a different one. In some cases, medicines called corticosteroids may help interstitial nephritis.