In pharmacology, augmented renal clearance (ARC) is a phenomenon where certain critically ill patients may display increased clearance of a medication through the kidneys. In many cases, it is observed as a measured creatinine clearance above that which is expected given the patient's age, gender, and other factors. The phenomenon is most commonly observed in patients with neurologic damage, sepsis, major trauma, or burns.
Augmented renal clearance can be caused by increased fluid administration, certain medications, and critical illnesses. It can lead to failure of treatment in people due to a decrease in drug concentrations, increase in clearance, or shorter half life. Many medications require adjustment to account for the changed clearance in people with ARC, notably some antibiotics.