Nephropathy refers to damage to or disease of the kidney. An older term for this is nephrosis. Human kidneys viewed from behind with spine removed The kidneys are bean-shaped excretory organs in vertebrates. ...

One cause of nephropathy is the long term usage of analgesics. The pain medicines which can cause kidney problems include aspirin, acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. This form of nephropathy is "chronic analgesic nephritis," a chronic inflammatory change characterized by loss and atrophy of tubules and interstitial fibrosis and inflammation (BRS Pathology, 2nd edition). For other uses of painkiller, see painkiller (disambiguation) An analgesic (colloquially known as painkiller) is any member of the diverse group of drugs used to relieve pain. ... Aspirin or acetylsalicylic acid (acetosal) is a drug in the family of salicylates, often used as an analgesic (against minor pains and aches), antipyretic (against fever), and anti-inflammatory. ... Acetaminophen (USAN) or paracetamol (INN), is a popular analgesic and antipyretic drug that is used for the relief of fever, headaches, and other minor aches and pains. ... Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, usually abbreviated to NSAIDs, are drugs with analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects - they reduce pain, fever and inflammation. ... Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, usually abbreviated to NSAIDs, are drugs with analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects - they reduce pain, fever and inflammation. ...

Specifically, long term use of the analgesic phenacetin has been linked to renal papillary necrosis (necrotizing papillitis). Phenacetin, introduced in 1887, is used principly as an analgesic. ... Necrosis (in Greek Νεκρός = Dead) is the name given to unprogrammed death of cells and living tissue. ...

A second possible cause of nephropathy is due to decreased function of Xanthine Oxidase in the Purine degredation pathway. Xanthine Oxidase will degrade hypoxanthine to xanthine and then to Uric Acid. Because Xanthine is not very soluable in water an increase in Xanthine will form crystals (which can lead to kidney stones) and result in damage of the kidney. Drugs like Allopurinol that are used to inhibit Zanthine Oxidase can therefore cause possible nephropathy. Purine is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound, consisting of a pyrimidine ring fused to an imidazole ring. ... Allopurinol is a white, powdery drug used to treat gout. ...

See also

• Diabetic nephropathy
• Hypertensive nephropathy
• Nephritis
• IgA nephropathy