Cimetidine-Induced Acute Renal Failure

Abstract
Acute, partially reversible interstitial nephritis and azotemia developed in 2 patients after cimetidine treatment. Renal biopsy in patient 2 showing acute interstitial nephritis and the recrudescence of azotemia after patient 1''s inadvertant rechallenge with the drug strongly indicate cimetidine''s nephrotoxicity. The relation of the enhanced delayed hypersensitivity caused by H2-receptor blockade is proposed as a possible mechanism by which cimetidine causes interstitial nephritis.