Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and selective COX-2 inhibitors (coxibs) enjoy widespread use in clinical practice, leading to a remarkable frequency of unwanted renal side effects. In most cases, NSAID-induced acute renal failure or acute kidney injury is hemodynamically mediated. Clinical syndromes associated with NSAID use include acute renal failure, acute interstitial nephritis, worsening of chronic kidney disease (CKD), salt and water retention and hypertension. Careful monitoring of renal function is advisable in patients at increased risk such as elderly individuals with compromised cardiac reserve, and diabetics.