Rheumatoid arthritis – medication dosage in chronic kidney disease

Abstract

Renal failure in the course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a consequence of many factors, including drug-induced nephrotoxicity, comorbidities and chronic inflammation. Contemporary treatment strategies have reduced the incidence of renal failure in the population of RA patients. However, it remains a problem for approximately 25% of patients. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the potential need for dosage modifications of administered medications. Many drugs used in the therapy of rheumatic diseases have not been thoroughly studied for their safety in patients with reduced glomerular filtration, resulting in limited data in this area. The establishment of precise, transparent, and consistent dosage recommendations for antirheumatic drugs in chronic kidney dis-ease would significantly facilitate the care of patients with RA. The following review provides a general summary of the available knowledge regarding the dosage of rheumatic medications in renal insufficiency and aims to highlight the need for further research in this area.