Heavy or long-term use of some of these medicines, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and higher dose aspirin, can cause chronic kidney disease known as chronic interstitial nephritis.
Acute kidney injury can happen with any NSAID, including ibuprofen. The risk for kidney damage is higher for adults over 60 and people who have chronic kidney disease (CKD). This serious side effect is seen most often within the first month of starting a regular NSAID regimen.
Generally, the renal failure with NSAIDs is acute and reversible, though analgesic nephropathy with papillary necrosis and chronic renal failure are reported.
Taking too much ibuprofen or similar painkillers can damage kidneys, but a recent study has revealed some people at high risk are still being prescribed them.
Avoid prolonged use of analgesics that contain a mixture of painkilling ingredients, like aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine mixtures in one pill. If you are taking analgesics, increase the amount of fluid you drink to six to eight glasses a day.
A gel form of the prescription NSAID diclofenac (Voltaren Gel) is one option. Only a very small amount of the drug gets into the bloodstream, so it may be safe for your kidneys. However, topicals may not work well for hip pain, because the joint is too deep for the medication to penetrate.
The damage that is caused by these medications can be reversible if the drug is stopped, but there is also a chance that the damage will not be able to be reversed. In some cases, the damage is so severe that it will cause the patient to need dialysis.
Paracetamol poisoning associated with renal impairment is rare, and it is mostly associated with hepatotoxicity. Most patients with acute renal impairment show a pattern of acute tubular necrosis or injury based on their blood, clinical presentation, and imaging.
Unless a doctor instructs otherwise, a person should not take ibuprofen for longer than 10 days in a row.
Nonprescription pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen (Aleve, others) can damage your liver, especially if taken frequently or combined with alcohol.
The symptoms and signs of liver toxicity are similar to those of other liver disorders. They include fatigue, loss of appetite, yellow skin, abdominal pain, and nausea.
Kidney pain often feels like a dull ache that gets worse if someone gently presses on that area. While it is more common to feel kidney pain on only one side, some health problems may affect both kidneys and cause pain on both sides of your back.
Most street drugs, including heroin, cocaine and ecstasy can cause high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure and even death, in some cases from only one use. Cocaine, heroin and amphetamines also can cause kidney damage.
Paracetamol in standard doses is safe to take if you have kidney problems. Opioids can be used carefully starting with small doses and increasing the dose slowly if required and only under medical supervision.
Painkillers that combine 2 or more medicines (such as, aspirin and acetaminophen together) with caffeine or codeine are the most likely to harm the kidneys. Painkillers with codeine require a prescription.
Unlike Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs, the active ingredient in Tylenol (acetaminophen) does not cause damage to the kidneys. In fact, the National Kidney Foundation recommends acetaminophen as the pain reliever of choice for occasional use in patients who have underlying kidney disease.
Medications like ibuprofen can irritate your stomach lining and cause problems ranging from mild nausea to ulcers. There are also reports that some NSAIDs may increase your risk of developing heart disease. So while occasional use is fine, continued daily use should only be done under your doctor's supervision.
Aim for 8-10 glasses of water throughout the day. Don't expect drinking a large amount of water at one time to be an effective way to remove drugs from your system. Staying hydrated requires frequency, not just volume. In addition to water, herbal teas and juice may help your body flush out toxins.
If you take it 4 times a day, leave at least 4 hours between doses. If you have pain all the time, your doctor may recommend slow-release ibuprofen tablets or capsules. You'll usually take these once a day in the evening or twice a day. Leave a gap of 10 to 12 hours between doses if you're taking ibuprofen twice a day.