How Can Medication Damage The Kidneys
Your kidneys function as your bodys filter, ridding the body of toxins and waste while returning nutrients, vitamins, hormones, and other vital substances to the bloodstream. And because the kidneys receive such heavy volumes of your bloodstream, they are susceptible to damage caused by diabetes and high blood pressure. However, inappropriate medication use can also cause kidney damage.
When you take pain medication, your kidneys filter their active ingredients into your bloodstream so that they can begin working to ease your symptoms. But because medications like Ibuprofen block body chemicals that cause the blood vessels to dilate, this results in reduced blood flow to the kidneys reducing the blood flow helps stop pain from headaches and other afflictions, but it also means less oxygen passing through to keep the kidneys healthy and functioning properly. Some medications also cause excess water retention, which can put considerable strain on the kidneys. For people suffering from medical conditions like chronic kidney disease, NSAIDs can increase the risk of kidney failure.
What Is Ibuprofen Used To Treat
Ibuprofen is commonly used to treat mild to moderate aches and pains such as headache, toothache, period pain, and sports injuries like sprains and strains. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, ibuprofen is also used to control pain and inflammation in the joints, bones, and muscles, for example, in conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Ibuprofen may also be used to reduce fever during a flu-like illness or common cold. Why is it important to know the appropriate ibuprofen dosing?You should know how much ibuprofen is safe because taking too much ibuprofen can be very harmful. Although higher strengths of ibuprofen require a prescription, over-the-counter ibuprofen can be purchased and self-administered by patients at a higher than recommended maximum daily dose.
Exercise And Mindful Movement
Regular exercise is a good way to ward off chronic pain and to reduce symptoms if it does develop. But certain types of movement may be more beneficial than others.
Tai chi has been shown to benefit people with fibromyalgia, for example, and yoga may help with back pain and arthritis. Even if these techniques dont necessarily decrease pain, they may help people cope with it better, says Nagda.
Nagda also recommends swimming to many of her pain patients, as a way to stay active and flexible without stressing their joints. And for injuries, she stresses the value of using heat and ice and seeing a physical therapist, rather than masking pain with a pill.
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Naproxen May Damage Kidneys
One of the most popular NSAIDs in the pharmacy is naproxen. It was originally only available by prescription under the name Naprosyn. Now doctors can write prescriptions for naproxen as a generic pain reliever or under the brand names Anaprox, Anaprox DS, EC-Naprosyn, Naprelan and Vimovo .
Naproxen has also been available over the counter for years in products like Aleve, Aleve PM, Menstridol or Midol Extended Relief. There are also dozens of house brand naproxen products people can buy without medical supervision.
We fear that this NSAID as well as similar drugs have a long list of serious side effects that most people are either unaware of or ignore. Kidney damage is just one complication to pay attention to as this reader notes.
Other Complications And Risks
The most common complication from ibuprofen overdoses is metabolic acidosis, in which the body cannot eliminate acidic compounds from its blood and tissues.
The body breaks ibuprofen down into acidic compounds. When a person overdoses on it, the acidic compounds accumulate and can reduce the pH of the blood and body tissues. This makes the body more acidic.
Ibuprofen overdose can cause sudden kidney failure and seizures, which can affect the production and elimination of acidic compounds.
Metabolic acidosis can cause:
- a higher risk of irregular heartbeat
- altered delivery of oxygen through the bloodstream
- immune system impairment
A blood test can reveal a low platelet count following an overdose. Prothrombin time, which is the time it takes for the blood to clot, will also rise. This means that the bodys ability to form blood clots may be reduced.
It is vital for people to seek medical attention immediately if they believe they have ingested too much ibuprofen. In most cases, doctors can reverse the consequences of an ibuprofen overdose.
The emergency doctor will take a complete history of how much ibuprofen the person took and at what time.
It is also vital for the person to mention whether they took other substances with the ibuprofen. Knowing this will help the doctor determine the best treatment and how best to manage the overdose.
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Your Ears Might Start To Ring If You Take Ibuprofen Every Day
Taking ibuprofen every day has plenty of side effects and some are more surprising than others.
While it might not be the most intense or dangerous side effect of taking ibuprofen every day, the drug could result in a ringing in your ears. Sure, it’s not as scary as damage to your organs or ulcers in your stomach, but a ringing in your ears can present a variety of problems. Additionally, there’s no cure for the condition also known as tinnitus. As noted by Harvard Health Publishing, tinnitus is defined as “sound in the head with no external source” and could present as ringing, buzzing, whistling, or even shrieking.
As it turns out, ibuprofen might be the source behind that ringing you hear. “Some medications can cause tinnitus that goes away when the drug is discontinued,” Harvard Health Publishing reported. If you take ibuprofen every day and notice that there’s a ringing in your ears, it might be smart to lay off the pills.
What Are Clinical Trials And Are They Right For You
Clinical trials are part of clinical research and at the heart of all medical advances. Clinical trials look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease. Researchers also use clinical trials to look at other aspects of care, such as improving the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses. Find out if clinical trials are right for you.
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Health Hack: How Much Ibuprofen Should You Really Take
Ibuprofen is a great over-the-counter option to relieve pain, fever, and inflammation. But if you take too much, you could suffer some negative side effects. In todays Health Hack, Dr. Madsen explains how much ibuprofen you should really take to get maximum relief without any side effects.
Announcer: “Health Hacks” with Dr. Troy Madsen on The Scope.
Dr. Madsen: Today’s health hack is avoiding the side effects from Ibuprofen while still getting the maximum effect from the medication. So, if you’ve ever taken Ibuprofen, you’ve probably heard take 600 milligrams or 3 of the regular strength over-the-counter Ibuprofen, take it every 4 to 6 hours. Well, you’re probably taking too much Ibuprofen and you’re not doing it to really provide a lot of benefit for your pain.
So studies that had been done, there have been studies in patients who are postoperative, also patients with dental pain, and they looked at 400 milligrams of Ibuprofen versus 600 milligrams, so just two of the regular strength tablets. They found that that 400 milligrams had the exact same effect on pain as the 600 milligram. And even then, they found that that 400 milligrams 3 times a day was the max effect. You’re talking just every eight hours.
Announcer: For more health hacks, check out thescoperadio.com, produced by University of Utah Health.
Taking Ibuprofen Every Day Could Make Your Potassium Levels Skyrocket
When you take ibuprofen every day, you likely aren’t thinking about how it will impact your body’s potassium. However, perhaps you should give more thought to your potassium levels the next time you find yourself reaching for the Advil bottle.
Generally, people only think about potassium if they feel they don’t have enough of it. According to Healthline, muscle cramps, weakness, and fatigue are all signs of low potassium, which is probably why many people rely on bananas for their post-workout refreshment. However, if you take ibuprofen every day especially in high amounts you might end up accidentally skyrocketing your potassium levels. Unfortunately, this could present some dangers to your body.
According to GoodRx, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen “raise potassium levels by causing the kidneys to hold onto potassium.” And if your potassium is too high, your life could be at risk. As noted by GoodRx, potassium levels over 5.5 can cause a person to go into cardiac arrest, which could prove to be fatal. So, before you take a few Advil as a hangover cure, consider trying alternative remedies instead.
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Regular Use Of Pain Medicines Doesnt Damage Kidneys
July 17, 2001 Aspirin and similar pain medicines are such a part of everyday life about a quarter of U.S. adults use them weekly that most of us assume theyre perfectly safe. But for years, doctors have cautioned that regular use of these drugs can cause major damage to your kidneys and cause bleeding in the stomach.
A new study gives us one less thing to worry about: Moderate use of over-the-counter pain relievers isnt likely to lead to kidney problems, the researchers found. However, two doctors who reviewed the study for WebMD believe overuse of pain medicines, particularly over a long period of time, may still be harmful.
The study in July 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at the use of nonprescription pain medicines such as aspirin, acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Motrin, Advil, or Aleve in more than 11,000 healthy men over a 14-year period.
They found no increase in kidney problems among men who took an average of three or four pills a week The study didnt look at other possible side effects of these drugs such as harm to the liver or gastrointestinal bleeding.
People in the U.S. tend to drink too little water, and that puts additional stress on the kidneys, Avram says. When you look at elderly people who drink only a small amount of water, and also take lots of pain medicines, thats a set-up for disaster.
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What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture .
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
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What Are Nsaids Are They Safe To Take
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a specific group of pain relievers. Some NSAIDs are available over the counter. This includes different brands of ibuprofen, naproxen sodium and ketoprofen.
NSAIDs are usually safe for occasional use when taken as directed, but if you have known decreased kidney function, they should be avoided. These medications should only be used under a doctor’s care by patients with kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure or liver disease or by people who are over 65 or who take diuretic medications. NSAIDs may cause an increased risk of sudden kidney failure and even progressive kidney damage.
Can I Take Ibuprofen If Im Pregnant Or Breastfeeding
Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you are pregnant, you should not take ibuprofen unless your doctor tells you to. Taking an NSAID during the last 20 weeks of pregnancy can cause serious heart or kidney problems in the unborn baby and possible complications with your pregnancy.
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The Effects Of Other Common Painkillers On Liver
Acetaminophen
It causes liver damage due to overdose or prolonged use. Large doses of acetaminophen deplete the liver of glutathione, an essential antioxidant that detoxifies the liver, neutralizes free radicals and boosts the immune system. So when this super antioxidant is depleted, the result is liver damage.
An overdose consists of ingestion of 15 mg of acetaminophen in a single dose. However, patients who take alcohol can still be adversely affected when they take the standard dose.
Do not take more than four doses in a day, and do not take acetaminophen for more than 10 days for adults, and 5 days for children. The dosage period should be shorter for people with liver problems.
Aspirin
Is ibuprofen bad for your liver? You already know the answer. What about aspirin? Aspirin can inhibit some liver function tests when it is taken before the tests are done. It should also not be given to children under 17 years as it can lead to a rare but serious condition called Reyes syndrome. This condition causes swelling of the brain and liver.
Ibuprofen Dosages By Weight
Doctors recommend using a child’s weight instead of age when figuring out how much medicine to give. Before giving your child a dose, check the label to make sure the recommended dosage and concentration agree with the numbers below.
This table is based on doctors’ and the manufacturers’ recommendations. It is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. If your child is 2 years old or younger, get the OK from your health care professional before giving the medicine. And always call if you have any questions or concerns about giving medicine.
| Age/Weight |
|---|
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Central Nervous System Toxicity
If people take dosages greater than 400 mg/kg, they may experience central nervous systemdepression. This can cause loss of consciousness and coma.
Children may experience seizures and decreased consciousness from a massive overdose. Some children may even stop breathing.
Emergency doctors can reverse the central nervous system toxicities that occur due to an ibuprofen overdose.
Compared with NSAIDs such as diclofenac, mefenamic acid, and naproxen, ibuprofen overdoses have links with of central nervous system toxicities.
If I Need Pain Medicines What Can I Do To Keep My Kidneys Healthy
Kidney disease caused by pain relievers is often preventable. Here are some things you can do to help keep your kidneys healthy.
How you take these medicines makes a difference:
- Make sure you read the warning label before using any overthecounter analgesics.
- Do not use overthecounter pain relievers more than 10 days for pain or more than three days for fever. If you have pain or fever for a longer time, you should see your doctor.
- Avoid using pain medicines that contain a combination of ingredients, like aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine mixed together in one pill.
- If you are taking pain medicines, increase the amount of fluid you drink to six to eight glasses a day.
- If you are taking pain medicines, avoid drinking alcohol.
Talking with your doctor about pain medicines can also make a difference:
- If you have kidney disease, ask your doctor before taking a pain medicine, particularly NSAIDs and higher dose aspirin.
- If you have high blood pressure or heart disease, make sure you only take NSAIDs under your doctors supervision. This is especially important if you take diuretic medications or are over 65 years of age.
- Make sure your doctor knows about all medicines you are taking, even over-the-counter medicines.
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How To Take Ibuprofen
Make sure you take ibuprofen as directed on the label or leaflet, or as instructed by a health professional.
How much you can take depends on your age, the type of ibuprofen you’re taking and how strong it is. For example:
- adults can usually take 1 or 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours, but shouldn’t take more than 1,200mg tablets in the space of 24 hours
- children under 16 may need to take a lower dose, depending on their age check the packet or leaflet, or ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice
The painkilling effect of ibuprofen begins soon after a dose is taken, but the anti-inflammatory effect can sometimes take up to 3 weeks to get the best results.
Ibuprofen shouldn’t be used to treat conditions that are mainly related to inflammation.
Don’t take more than the recommended dose if it isn’t relieving your symptoms.
Adults can take paracetamol at the same time if necessary, but this isn’t recommended for children.
Contact your GP or phone the NHS 24 111 service if your symptoms get worse or last more than 3 days despite taking ibuprofen.
How Often Can I Take Ibuprofen 800 Mg
Ibuprofen 800 mg is a prescription-strength dosage. The total recommended dose is 3200 mg per day. Therefore, you can take ibuprofen 800 mg 4 times a day or every 6 hours. As mentioned above, even though the maximum daily dose of prescription ibuprofen is 3200 mg, it is potentially harmful to exceed 800 mg per dose.
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Before You Take Ibuprofen Try This
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen are widely used to treat pain and dont require a prescription. But recent studies suggest that when taken regularly, these medicines can have serious side effects. Theyve been linked to kidney, bone, hearing and cardiovascular problemsincluding, most recently, an increased risk of heart attack.
For healthy people with occasional aches, theres nothing wrong with taking an Advil or an Aleve to relieve discomfort, says Dr. Jyotsna Nagda, a pain specialist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. But long-term use of anti-inflammatories is not a good idea, she says, especially when alternatives are available.
Plus, says Alban Latremoliere, a pain physiologist at Boston Childrens Hospital, NSAIDs dont always work wellwhich could prompt people to take higher and higher doses when they should be turning to other treatments. Instead of looking for a pill that works for every type of pain, we need to be thinking about combination approaches that treat the underlying problems, he says.
If youre concerned about the level of pain medicine youre taking, here are a few things you might try instead.