Acute Kidney Injury Among Patients with Drug Overdose–Involved Hospitalizations — United States, 2016–2025

Acute Kidney Injury Among Patients with Drug Overdose–Involved Hospitalizations—United States, 2016–2025 examines kidney damage among people hospitalized for overdoses involving opioids, cocaine, or psychostimulants. Acute kidney injury was documented in 34.5% of the hospitalizations studied, and 60.9% of those involving kidney injury included serious complications or death. Kidney injury was more common among older patients, while younger patients with kidney injury were more likely to experience severe complications. Its occurrence increased from 2016 through 2022 before declining through 2025. The report emphasizes early detection, follow-up kidney care after discharge, and access to substance use treatment to help prevent repeated overdoses and long-term kidney damage.