Suspected nafcillin-induced interstitial nephritis

OBJECTIVE: To present a case of nafcillin-induced interstitial nephritis. METHODOLOGY: Case report and literature review. SETTING: Hospital. RESULTS: Three days following initiation of nafcillin therapy for staphylococcal pneumonia, an 80-year-old woman developed allergic manifestations and progressive renal impairment suggestive of acute allergic interstitial nephritis. These manifestations were completely reversed within 96 hours of cessation of nafcillin therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In the clinical setting of acute renal failure in a patient on nafcillin therapy, acute interstitial nephritis should be considered. Prompt cessation of nafcillin therapy has generally been associated with reversal of symptoms and an improvement in renal function.