Acute kidney injury secondary to post-phacoemulsification treatment with acetazolamide. A side effect of a widely used drug. Case report

Abstract

Acetazolamide (ACTZ) is a drug that is used frequently, especially in the treatment of glaucoma. It reduces the secretion of hydrogen in the proximal renal tubule and increases the elimination of bicarbonate and water. Its side effects include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, electrolyte imbalances. However, the cases of acute kidney injury (AKI) described are very rare.

ACTZ is known to promote the formation of kidney stones due to its effects on urinary pH due to its chronic use, and when excreted in an acidic urinary environment, it can lead to the formation of crystals in the kidney tubules and cause kidney damage. Here we describe a rare case of acute kidney injury that required dialysis secondary to the use of low-dose acetazolamide after cataract surgery.

AKI due to acute crystalluria is a potentially severe complication. With the description of this case, we want to emphasize the importance of knowing this rare adverse effect since an early diagnosis that requires high clinical suspicion can avoid complications.