MODULE SUPPLEMENT: RENAL SYSTEM
What are the Clinical Implications?

1. Check blood levels of drugs and avoid drugs that are excreted renally if possible;
2. Serum creatinine values are not reliable estimates of renal function--some suggest using short urine collections to estimate renal function (e.g. to avoid the problems surrounding 24 hour urines) or use 24 hour if possible--but use creatinine clearance vs serum creatinine
3. Use formulas but with recognition that they may over or underestimate values--e.g. ballpark only
4. Realize parameters can change--usually studies that derive formulas are on persons in a steady state.