title: [Acute renal failure related to intravenous acyclovir].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and outcome of acute renal failure (ARF) in patients submitted to intravenous (IV) acyclovir treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients over 13 years of age that used intravenous acyclovir for 5 or more days were retrospectively analyzed. When serum creatinine levels, previously in the normal range, increased above 2 mg/dl, the case was considered an ARF. Treatment and outcome of patients that developed ARF were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-five patients received IV acyclovir during the study period. Forty-one patients were included in the study. ARF developed in 8 out of 41 patients (19.5%). In the ARF cases, after beginning of treatment, the average time for increase of the serum creatinine levels was 4.2 days. Creatinine levels reached their peak in a mean time of 7.1 days (ranging from 3 to 14 days). Recovery of the renal function, evaluated by decrease of the creatinine level, varied from 1 to 7 days (mean of 3.6 days). ARF had a good outcome with hydration, lengthening of drug infusion time and adjustment of the drug dosage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acyclovir induced ARF in 19.5% of the patients. All patients had a positive response with return to a normal renal function after hydration, lengthening of drug infusion time and adjustment of the drug dosage. None of the patients required treatment with hemodialysis. Acyclovir is a safe drug when administered with certain preventive measures.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP.
authors.forename: Leonardo R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Pacheco
authors.forename: Helder M E
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Tavares
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moysés Neto
authors.forename: Marcio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dantas
authors.forename: Luís Sérgio D'Oliveira
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: Karina Mota
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: José Fernando de Castro
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D003404:Creatinine; D000212:Acyclovir