Also called AKI, acute kidney failure, acute renal failure · Reviewed
Definition:Acute kidney injury (AKI), also called acute kidney failure, is a fast drop in how well the kidneys work. MedlinePlus describes it as the rapid loss, over less than 2 days, of the kidneys' ability to remove waste and balance fluids and electrolytes. Very low blood pressure from dehydration is one of the listed causes.
Where labels mention it
GLP-1 medicines: Wegovy says AKI, sometimes needing dialysis, has been reported mostly in people who became dehydrated from nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, and that kidney function is watched in them, especially when starting or raising the dose. Zepbound reports AKI in 0.5% vs 0.2% on placebo.
SGLT2 pills: Jardiance can lower blood volume, and AKI has been reported. The label says risk is higher with an eGFR under 60, in older people and with loop diuretics.
Testosterone: in the TRAVERSE heart-safety study on the AndroGel label, AKI was 2.3% on AndroGel vs 1.5% on placebo.
Blood pressure medicines: the telmisartan label lists acute kidney failure among reports after approval.
How it is measured
AKI shows up as a rise in blood creatinine and a fall in eGFR on a kidney panel, often with less urine. Because it can follow fluid loss, it is often linked to stretches of vomiting, diarrhea or poor drinking.
Why it matters for your log
The GLP-1 labels tie kidney problems to dehydration while starting or raising the dose. Logging dose changes next to days of vomiting or diarrhea makes that pattern visible, and gives a clinician the dates if kidney tests come back changed.
General education drawn from labels and published studies, not personal medical advice. Your prescriber, pharmacist and the label that came with your product are the final word.
The Wegovy label says acute kidney injury was reported mostly in people who lost fluid through nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, and that kidney function is watched in them when starting or raising the dose.
Is acute kidney injury permanent?+
Not always. It is defined by how fast it happens, not by whether it lasts. Some cases recover and some need dialysis, as the Wegovy label notes.