We don’t think about our kidneys very often. They filter out garbage and keep fluids in balance without making any noise. They usually don’t need help, but when anything goes wrong, they do. Symptoms often show up after the damage has already been done.
More than 800 million people around the world have chronic renal illness. A simple urine test can demonstrate that protein is escaping into the urine, which is a symptom that the kidneys aren’t working right. A lot of folks don’t know what’s wrong until they get the test results.
But here’s something that a lot of people don’t think about: disease isn’t always the cause of the threat. If you don’t take some medicines the right way or for too long, they can slowly harm your kidneys.
Let’s look at the common drugs that can hurt your kidneys and what safer options your doctor can recommend.
Omeprazole and other medications that stop acid
If you’ve ever had heartburn, acid reflux, or ulcers, you may have taken omeprazole or another proton pump inhibitor (PPI). They significantly help with the burning pain and keep the stomach safe.
But long-term use of PPIs, especially without a doctor’s supervision, has been linked to harm to the kidneys. If not addressed, a modest strain on the kidneys could turn into chronic renal illness.
H2 antagonists like famotidine are normally easier on the kidneys, so they would be a better alternative, but they aren’t suited for everyone. Always talk to your doctor before making any changes.
. Painkillers such as ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is one of the drugs that people use the most at home. We take it for headaches, arthritis pain, sore muscles, and even fevers.
But ibuprofen is an NSAID, which means it slows down blood flow to the kidneys. If taken for too long or in large doses, especially by older people, this might induce acute renal damage due to limited blood flow.
Experts warn you shouldn’t take ibuprofen for more than ten days in a row without talking to a doctor beforehand.
Aspirin, Diclofenac, and Naproxen
These medications are NSAIDs, which is the same type of drug as ibuprofen. Using it too much can harm your kidneys, raise your blood pressure, make you hold onto water, and start chronic renal disease.
If you feel bloated, weary, nauseous, or have to go to the bathroom less often, something is wrong. If you see any of these things while taking painkillers, call your doctor immediately away.
A few antibiotics.
Gentamicin and amikacin are two examples of aminoglycoside antibiotics that can save lives when they are used to treat serious infections. But they carry a serious risk: nephrotoxicity, which is damage to the kidneys.
Most of the time, doctors only provide these drugs to patients who really need them and keep a careful eye on how they are doing. It’s still important to ask questions if you or someone you care about is using these drugs.
Bipolar disorder and lithium
Lithium has been one of the finest strategies to treat bipolar disorder for a long time. But using it for a long period could create complications like kidney failure and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, which makes it hard for the body to manage fluids.
People who use lithium should get their blood and kidneys checked often to make sure they are healthy. You can’t take this medicine unless your psychiatrist and nephrologist are very close.
“Water pills” are another name for diuretics.
People with high blood pressure or edema from holding onto too much fluid often get diuretics from their doctors. They help the body get rid of excess salt and water.
But using diuretics too much or not at all might make you dehydrated, throw off your electrolyte balance, and put more stress on your kidneys.
You should never adjust the dose of a diuretic on your own, so keep that in mind. Changes, even small ones, can affect how well the kidneys perform.
Drugs for high blood pressure
This is when things get hard. Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors are a type of blood pressure medication that may make the kidneys operate less well over time.
But it’s important to remember that these treatments are also very important for keeping your heart healthy and regulating high blood pressure, which is a major cause of kidney failure.
That means you should never stop taking these drugs all at once. If you’re worried, talk to your doctor. The advantages usually outweigh the hazards, but it’s very important to keep a tight eye on the dosage.
How to Protect Your Kidneys Every Day
Drugs might help, but there are many things you can do every day to maintain your kidneys healthy:
Check your blood pressure on a regular basis. Having high blood pressure is one of the biggest risks for kidney disease.
Watch your weight. Being overweight puts extra strain on the kidneys.
If you have diabetes, make sure your blood sugar stays in check. High blood sugar slowly damages the kidneys’ delicate filters.
Test your urine. A simple dipstick test can identify signs of trouble, including protein in the urine.
Don’t take drugs without help. You can buy anything without a prescription, but that doesn’t guarantee it’s safe.
Stop doing negative things. A lot of drinking and smoking puts a lot of stress on the kidneys.
Watch your cholesterol and triglycerides. Your kidneys and heart are both in good shape.
The Bottom Line
Kidney disease doesn’t always cause a lot of problems. It sneaks up on us when we’re doing normal things and taking the same substances without thinking about it.
You can safeguard your kidneys for a long time, though, by recognizing which drugs are bad for them and working closely with your doctor.
Your kidneys are always under a lot of stress. Your kidneys break down everything you eat, drink, or take as a medicine.
So give them the respect they deserve. Keep learning, ask questions, and never ignore early warning signs. You need to take care of your kidneys today so you can stay healthy and free tomorrow.
