SummaryThe use of drugs in the adult patient with renal failureThe kidney plays an important role in the excretion of many drugs and drug metabolites. It is essential to recognise not only when drug dosage should be reduced in patients with renal failure, but also when drugs must be used in full-dosage.A practical guide to the pharmacological management of patients with different degree of renal failure is presented.Information concerning the elimination pattern, serum half-life in patients with normal renal function and with advanced renal failure, and the effect of dialysis in drug removal is included, in order to clarify the proposed drug dosage.The most important drug belonging to the group of antibiotics, antiarrhythmic agents, cardiotonics, antihypertensive drugs, diuretics, anticoagulants, hypoglycemic agents, drugs used in psychiatric disorders, anticonvulsants, analgetics, drugs used in rhematoid arthritis and allied conditions, antineoplastic and immunosuppressive agents are listed in this order. Since information on many drugs is incomplete, some of the recommendations are based on inadequate and conflicting data. The proposed drug dosage represents the best judgment of the author of this time.