Renal Function Equations and Medication dosing: The Daily Clinical Dilemma

Authors

Witt Durden, Assistant Professor of Medicine, West Virginia University/Charleston Area Medical Center, Charleston, WV 25304, USA
Amna Anees, Assistant Professor of Medicine, West Virginia University/Charleston Area Medical Center Charleston, WV 25304, USAFollow
Joel Topf, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI 48309 USA

Abstract

In 1976, Donald Cockcroft and M. Henry Gault published a formula that estimates creatinine clearance.  This study involved only Caucasian males and was done prior to the development and standardization of the modern creatinine assays.  With the major advances in medicine and nephrology that have occurred over the past half century, it seems almost inconceivable that we would still be using this formula as the standard for medication dosing, yet this is the clinical reality.  We explore the tension between guidelines that suggest using eGFR for medication dosing and the practical reality of our current system and the knowledge gaps that have led to continued reliance on this formula.

Recommended Citation

Durden, Witt; Anees, Amna; and Topf, Joel (2026) "Renal Function Equations and Medication dosing: The Daily Clinical Dilemma," Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives: Vol. 16: Iss. 2, Article 2.
DOI: 10.55729/2000-9666.1592
Available at: https://scholarlycommons.gbmc.org/jchimp/vol16/iss2/2

DOI

10.55729/2000-9666.1592