Pyroptosis is a programmed cell death mediated by cysteine proteases, which is characterized by mitochondrial participation, inflammasome assembly, plasma membrane perforation, and inflammatory release. As an important mechanism mediating the body's inflammatory response, pyroptosis plays a key role in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI). This article reviews the molecular mechanism of pyroptosis, the mechanism of pyroptosis in RIRI and the research progress of therapeutic drugs in recent years, aiming to provide theoretical reference for the early treatment of RIRI.