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.
Acetaminophen is the drug often recommended for occasional use in patients with kidney disease. But everyone with kidney disease should rely on their doctor or other health care professional for a personal recommendation. It is important to know that any drug can be harmful if used at high doses or very frequently.
Ibuprofen is generally well-tolerated by the kidneys, but you should only take it as prescribed for a few days. The drug increases your risk of kidney impairment, especially among older adults with chronic kidney disease. This side effect usually presents within the first month of consistent NSAID use.
What analgesics are safe for people who have kidney disease? Acetaminophen remains the drug of choice for occasional use in patients with kidney disease because of bleeding complications that may occur when these patients use aspirin.
Overall, treatment with oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is associated with a 1.7-fold increased risk of incident eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 1.9-fold increased risk of an eGFR decline of 30% or greater, a large study showed.
In general, paracetamol poisoning is associated with hepatotoxicity and very rarely with renal impairment in the absence of significant hepatic impairment. Paracetamol poisoning associated with renal impairment is rare, and it is mostly associated with hepatotoxicity.
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.
NSAIDs, diuretics, and ACE inhibitors are potential drugs that cause kidney damage. Certain medications administered in hospital settings, like aminoglycoside antibiotics and vancomycin, can also damage the kidneys.
There are a number of different kidney diseases that can be caused by ibuprofen. For instance, ibuprofen can cause nephrotic syndrome, allergic interstitial nephritis, papillary necrosis, acute kidney injury, anaphylaxis, and chronic interstitial nephritis. Some of these can be reversed, some of these cannot.
Paracetamol. This can be used safely in people whose kidneys are not working well. The standard dose is 500mg-1g every four-six hours, with a maximum of eight tablets in 24 hours. If you weigh less than 50kg or have liver disease you should only take 500mg every 6-8 hours.
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.
Acetaminophen is generally a safe option to try first for many types of pain, including chronic pain. Ask your health care provider for guidance about other medications to avoid while taking acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is not as effective as NSAIDs for the treatment of knee and hip pain related to osteoarthritis.
Medicines for pain and swelling, such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), can cause harm. So can some antibiotics and antacids. And you need to be careful about some drugs that treat cancer, lower blood pressure, or get rid of water from the body. Some natural health products could cause harm too.
High blood pressure damages the kidneys over time, and is a leading cause of kidney failure. Drinking large amounts of cola-based soft drink beverages: Studies have shown that drinking two or more colas a day-diet or regular-is linked to a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease.
In the United States, diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney failure, accounting for 3 out of 4 new cases.
In this case, kidney function usually recover when traditional NSAIDs or coxibs are discontinued. If not, prednisone therapy (1 mg/kg per day) should be considered. Long-term NSAID use may result in chronic interstitial nephritis with interstitial fibrosis and chronic renal dysfunction.
Most people with a kidney infection can be treated at home with a course of antibiotics, and paracetamol if needed. See a GP if you feel feverish and have pain in your tummy, lower back or genitals that will not go away.
You may need to take paracetamol for longer if you have a long-term health problem that causes pain. It's safe to take paracetamol regularly for many years, as long as you do not take more than the recommended dose.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in up to 2% of patients with paracetamol overdose and it is generally seen in association with hepatotoxicity, being a rare entity when isolated [3,9]. In most cases, AKI becomes evident after hepatotoxicity and may complicate fulminant hepatic failure [8].
British researchers, in a study published in a British Medical Journal in 2015, have also found out that chronic users of paracetamol – those who typically take large, daily doses over several years – may increase their risk of death, or develop complications in the kidneys, intestines, and the heart.