Can Taking Medications Too Often Damage Your Kidneys? Here's What Doctors Say

 

Are you accustomed to taking medications regularly to address health issues? If so, you may need to pay attention to the potential impact on your kidney health. According to experts, taking medications too frequently, especially certain types of drugs, can have serious consequences for someone's kidney health.

Dr. Amanda Lee, a nephrologist (kidney specialist) from Mount Sinai Hospital, explains that kidneys play a crucial role in the body's filtration and detoxification processes. However, when someone consumes medication excessively, particularly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen, the kidneys may experience excessive pressure.

"Certain medications, especially NSAIDs, can disrupt blood flow to the kidneys and cause damage to kidney tissue," says Dr. Lee. "Long-term use or excessive doses of these medications can increase a person's risk of experiencing kidney problems, including kidney failure."

In addition to NSAIDs, other medications that can cause kidney damage include opioid pain relievers, antihypertensive drugs (blood pressure reducers), and medications used to treat specific diseases such as diabetes and arthritis.

However, it's important to remember that not everyone will experience kidney problems due to the use of these medications. Everyone has different tolerances to medications, and some people may be more susceptible to their side effects than others.

To reduce the risk of kidney damage, Dr. Lee recommends using medications as directed by a doctor, avoiding long-term use or excessive doses of certain medications, and regularly checking kidney health with a doctor.

So, while medications can provide significant benefits in managing health conditions, it's important to use them wisely and consider their impact on kidney health.

If Hermina's friend has complaints about internal diseases, you can visit Hermina Podomoro Hospital to consult with a specialist in internal medicine.

 

References:

- American Kidney Fund. (n.d.). Pain Medicines (Analgesics). Retrieved from https://www.kidneyfund.org/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/complications/pain-medicines-analgesics.html

- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2021). Kidney Disease & Diabetes. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/diabetes

- National Kidney Foundation. (n.d.). NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) and Kidney Disease. Retrieved from https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/nsaids-ckd#no-ckd