This post will cover the points you need to know for your board exams as well as for teaching residents on the daily rounds. Please don't use the information here to treat your patients.
There are certain medications that can cause crystal-induced nephrotoxicity and these are the most common:
Acyclovir: Needle-like birefringent crystals.
Indinavir: Plate-like Fan-shaped Starburst.
Methotrexate: Amorphous brown precipitates.
Sulfonamide: Wheat shock Shell-like Needle-shaped Rosettes.
Triamterene: Spherical birefringent.
Other medications that are associated with urine crystals are Aspirin, Ampicillin, Cephalexin, Ciprofloxacin, Foscarnet, Piridoxylate, Primidone, Vitamin C and Xylitol.
Read more about urinalysis in this book.
The information in this post is not for patients and shouldn't be used in treating patients. Please refer to your doctor for medical advice.