Plasma demeclocycline levels and nephrotoxicity. Correlation in hyponatremic cirrhotic patients
Miller, P.D.; Linas, S.L.; Schrier, R.W.
JAMA 243(24): 2513-2515
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0098-7484 PMID: 6770106 Document Number: 159455
In five hyponatremic, cirrhotic patients, demeclocycline hydrochloride was used to inhibit the hydroosmotic effect of vasopressin. In four, renal impairment developed during the 7 to 20 days of demeclocycline hydrochloride (900 to 1,200 mg/day) administration. In these four patients, creatinine clearance fell (72 to 20 mL/min, P less than .01) as BUN (12 to 47 mg/dl, P less than .02) and serum creatinine (0.9 to 4.2 mg/dl, P less than .01) levels rose. The azotemic effect of the drug could not be accounted for consistently by volume depletion secondary to its natriuretic effect. However, a close correlation between plasma demeclocycline levels and its azotemic effect was observed. We conclude that a nephrotoxic effect of demeclocycline severly limits its usefulness in treating hyponatremia in the cirrhotic patient.