RENAL EFFECTS OF INTERMITTENT VERSUS CONTINUOUS-INFUSION OF IBUPROFEN IN THE PRIMATE

The clinical use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is gaining wide acceptance and acute oliguric renal failure in association with the administration of ibuprofen has been reported. This study was designed to evaluate the renal effects of intermittent versus continuous intravenous infusion of ibuprofen (Motrin) over a 24-h period in the anesthetized non-pregnant baboon. A total of 50 mg/kg of ibuprofen was either infused continuously or given as a bolus in four divided doses (intermittent). Control animals received only normal saline. Mean aortic pressure showed a tendency to decrease with time in all groups studied with a significant decrease occurring in the infusion group. There were no significant changes in the renal artery flow, renal resistance, central venous pressure and heart rate within the groups. Serum urea nitrogen decreased and was significantly different from the baseline value at 24 h in the infusion group. Serum creatinine, however, showed no such changes. Although, urinary output and creatinine clearance showed a tendency to decrease in the treated groups, it was not significantly different. Plasma renin activity decreased from 9.95 to 2.3 ng/ml/hr in the control group but showed no significant changes in others. Serum levels of angiotensin converting enzyme were well maintained. The circulating levels of ibuprofen reached a steady state after 2 h in the infusion group. The results of this study demonstrate that continuous infusion of ibuprofen does not possess an advantage over its intermittent administration. Despite the modifications we have observed in renal flow and function, this drug appears to be safe in the dose levels me have used in these experiments.