Analgesic nephropathy in Belgium is related to the sales of particular analgesic mixtures

Analgesic nephropathy, a chronic progressive renal disease induced by the abuse of drugs containing analgesics and potentially addictive substances (e.g. caffeine, codeine), continues to be a serious problem in Belgium. A recent investigation (1990) of Belgian dialysis patients, including 54 of the 55 dialysis centres, established that 15.6% of the patients had analgesic nephropathy, showing a small decrease in prevalence compared to the 1979 and 1984 estimates. Considerable changes were observed in the sales figures of analgesics during the period 1983–1991. Phenacetin completely disappeared... Mehr ...