Renal: Introduction

Last updated: Tuesday, March 08, 2022

NB: See learning outcomes for this tutorial mapped to competencies, a PDF of the whole text, and a one-page summary.

☞ Why this subject matters...

Renal impairment is common in hospitals and pharmacists are often asked to help choose medicines that are considered safe in these patients, or to advise on dose reduction.


Prescribing in patients with renal failure is not an exact science. The practical knowledge of clinical professionals combined with some published evidence, and the basic principles of drug clearance help to guide decision-making.

You may find it helpful to refresh your knowledge of kidney function before reading on.