[Tubulointerstitial nephritis associated with treatment with selective Cox-2 inhibitors, celecoxib and rofecoxib].

The nephrotoxic effect of nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflamatory drugs (NSAIDS) has been widely described. The main benefit of the Cox-2 inhibitors in relation to the NSAIDS is the production of a very similar analgesic effect, but with fewer gastrointestinal side effects. However, their effects on renal function are little known as yet and their long-term safety is still pending definition. The use of selective Cox-2 inhibitors as anti-inflamatory analgesic is becoming more and more common in our environment. We report two cases of tubulointersticial nephritis confirmed by renal biopsy, associated with administration of the two Cox-2 inhibitors currently available on the market, celecoxib and rofecoxib. In both cases, we were talking about elderly women, with deterioration of the general condition and acute renal failure. In the former case, renal biopsy showed an acute tubulo-intersticial nephritis (TIN) so highly "variegated" in its histologic expression. In the second case, was associated with strong indications of chronicity. Treatment with steroid was initiated in both patients and improvement of renal function was observed.