The Origins of Analgesic Nephropathy

Abstract

The association between renal papillary necrosis and prolonged ingestion of compound analgesics containing aspirin and phenacetin, has been widely reported (5, 6, 11, 13, 17, 19, 20, 24, 42). Although formerly thought to occur mainly in Switzerland, Scandinavia and Australia, analgesic nephropathy is now being increasingly reported in Britain (3, 26, 36), and in particular in Western Scotland (33). In the past seven years over 100 cases have been seen in the renal unit of the Western Infirmary, Glasgow, and, of these 42 have died in uraemia.