Kidney Injury Induced by Use of Herbal Pills

Background: Herbal and ayurvedic drugs are used widely for several illnesses. These are often administered without adequate clinical rationale. Case: We present a case of a 33-year-old male who took ayurvedic pills and powders for more than 14 months, just to manage impaired serum creatinine levels. His renal functions went on deteriorating; still he continued the pills. He was apparently asymptomatic. He was alarmed by a sane friend who found him very weak and asked him to review his renal functions. His serum creatinine level came out to be 20.35 mg/dL. He was further investigated and diagnosed as chronic kidney disease. He was advised haemodialysis. Conclusion: There are magic pills available in plenty, for various ailments. Agood number of them are nephrotoxic. Without monitoring kidney function tests, these should not be taken.