The present invention provides methods for treating acute kidney injury through introduction of one or more drag reducing polymers, oligomers, and/or monomers, as well as compositions that include therapeutic amounts of one or more of these drag reducing polymers, oligomers, and/or monomers. These compositions may also include additional components that enhance at least one of the stability, effectiveness, or administerability of the polymers, oligomers, and/or monomers—such as buffers, anti-oxidants, and enzyme inhibitors.