N14: Drug- and heavy-metal-induced tubulo-interstitial and tubular conditions

N14.2: Nephropathy induced by unspecified drug, medicament or biological substance

There are normally 2 kidneys in the body. They filter blood and create urine. They thus help to detoxify the body. Furthermore, the kidneys regulate the blood pressure and salt content in the blood, among other things.

Certain types of medication, drugs or other substances such as those ingested with food can damage the kidneys. How much damage is caused depends, for example, on how much of a specific substance you take and how long you take it for.

Kidney disease can cause various symptoms. It can initially go unnoticed or cause mild symptoms only. You often have some blood or protein in your urine as a result of the disease. You may also have headaches, loin pain or problems related to blood pressure.

If the damage to the kidneys is more severe they may stop producing sufficient urine. This means that the body may retain fluid or even harmful substances. If the kidneys start to fail this can cause severe illness.