Analgesic Nephropathy K001

Current RMA Instruments

Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding:

• ICD-10-AM Codes: N14.0

Brief description

Analgesic nephropathy, a bilateral chronic kidney disease, should now be a very rare diagnosis. Individuals have a history of consumption of large amounts of specific analgesic agents, and the chronic kidney disease occurs in the absence of another biochemical, anatomical or metabolic cause for renal impairment. The principal cause of the condition was chronic heavy phenacetin intake.  Phenacetin was found in compound analgesic preparations (e.g. Bex). Phenacetin was removed from the Australian market in 1975.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is made from clinical history, with pathology test results (progressive renal impairment) and urinalysis generally required as well as CT imaging of the kidneys (characteristic changes involve papillary calcifications or necrosis).

To establish this diagnosis, the expertise of a nephrologist or a general medicine physician is usually required. 

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP

• Phenacetin nephritis

Conditions not covered by SOP

• Other forms of nephritis #
• Kidney disease due to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other medication #

* another SoP applies

# non- SoP condition

Clinical onset

The clinical onset refers to the earliest point in time, as identified by the treating doctor, when symptoms and pathology results consistent with the diagnosis of 'analgesic nephropathy' were observed. In most cases, this will be the date of a blood test. 

Clinical worsening

Clinical worsening may occur if the condition is left without appropriate management.