Is Acetaminophen Bad For Kidneys

Nsaids Are Bad For Your Heart And Kidneys

Long-term use of NSAIDs can make your body hold onto fluid. This can make the symptoms of heart failure, such as shortness of breath, swollen ankles, and a rapid or irregular heartbeat, worse. NSAIDs can also keep the kidneys from working well. This makes taking NSAIDs risky for people who already have kidney disease.

Nsaids Are Bad For Your Blood Pressure

NSAIDs can cause high blood pressure. And if you have high blood pressure, they can make it worse. This increases your chances of having a heart attack or a stroke.

NSAIDs can also keep some blood pressure drugs from working right. NSAIDs can interfere with:

• Diuretics, or water pills, such as Hydrodiuril . Diuretics remove excess water from the blood vessels.
• ACE inhibitors, such as Prinivil and Zestril . ACE inhibitors are drugs that relax the blood vessels.
• ARBs such as Cozaar . ARBs are another group of drugs that relax the blood vessels.

Expert Q& a: Safe Oa Medications For Kidney Health

Kidney problems can complicate your osteoarthritis treatment plan.

Question: My question concerns arthritis and kidney health. I haveosteoarthritis, but I cannot take many medications because I have kidney problems. Is there any treatment I could try that would not affect my kidneys? Answer: For patients with many types of arthritis,kidney problemscan indeed complicate treatment plans. If you have diminished kidney function, you may need to avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as ibuprofen or naproxen , but there are many other options for arthritis and kidney patients. The first option is acetaminophen , which is an analgesic, not an NSAID.

Injections of hyaluronic acid compounds, which are designed to supplement a substance that gives joint fluid its viscosity, for example, may provide relief in affected joints without involving the kidneys. These products includeHyalgan,OrthoVisc,SupartzandSynvisc.

There are also topical products for arthritis that affects only one or two joints. A gel form of the prescription NSAID diclofenac 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.

Other nonprescription topicals include:

Don Miller, PharmDProfessor, Department of Pharmacy PracticeNorth Dakota State University

Recommended Reading: Can Cushing’s Disease Cause Kidney Problems

Long Acetaminophen Use Linked To Kidney Damage : Health: The Painkiller Is Sold Mostly Under The Tylenol Label Researchers Note It Is Safe And Useful In Most Cases

• Print

The painkiller acetaminophen can severely damage kidneys if it is taken for long periods, according to a new study that reinforces previous fears about the popular drug.

Acetaminophen, most commonly known by the trade name Tylenol, causes an estimated 10% of the 50,000 cases of kidney failure that occur in the United States each year, the researchers report today in the New England Journal of Medicine. Preventing those cases could save the country $700 million a year in health expenses, according to government figures.

An average daily dose of more than one tablet can double the risk of kidney failure, as can the use of more than 1,000 tablets over an extended period, according to researchers from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in Baltimore.

The report comes only a day after a separate team reported that taking the drug during a fast, either voluntary or caused by illness, can cause serious liver damage.

The two reports represent a major dilemma for the millions of people who require frequent pain relief and who have switched from aspirin to acetaminophen because it was thought to be safer.

No one should stop using acetaminophen as a result of the two studies, Whelton concluded, although people should certainly be switched away from it at the first sign of kidney problems. Rather, he said, they provide a strong argument that we should not just take pills without a good reason.

Adverse Event And Drug Identification

We investigated adverse events by using the MedDRA Preferred Terms as follows: acute kidney injury , subacute kidney injury , acute prerenal failure , renal failure acute ischemic , blood creatinine increased , blood urea abnormal , glomerular filtration rate decreased , renal impairment , oliguria , anuria , dialysis , proteinuria , nephrotic osmotic , renal tubular injury , nephropathy toxic , nephritis allergic , tubulointerstitial nephritis . Thus, the MICROMEDEX® was used like a dictionary. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen were defined as both brand and generic names in the DRUG file, and the role of the drug was identified as primary suspected.

Don’t Miss: Is Lisinopril Hard On The Kidneys

Is It Bad To Take Ibuprofen Every Day

If you are suffering from an injury or illness, its perfectly acceptable to take Ibuprofen as directed for a few days in a row. However, regardless of whether or not you are prone to kidney problems, you should not take the medication every day indefinitely unless prescribed by your doctor. Not only can it cause kidney damage, but excessive Ibuprofen intake can also cause mild nausea, stomach ulcers, and more.

Is Tylenol Or Ibuprofen Worse For Your Kidneys

Unlike Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs, the active ingredient in Tylenol does not cause damage to the kidneys. In fact, the National KidneyFoundation recommends acetaminophen as the pain reliever of choice for occasional use in patients who have underlying kidney disease.

Although NSAIDs are more likely to cause kidney issues, Ibuprofen can still be used as long as it is not taken in excess. Unless otherwise directed by your physician, you should be just fine using Ibuprofen for occasional pain relief.

You May Like: How To Get On Kidney Transplant Waiting List

Researchers Find Alternatives For Acetaminophen Without Liver Kidney Effects

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic presents a new challenge: patients have severe flu-like symptoms, but the virus can also cause renal failure. Doctors and patients need analgesics that go easy on the liver and kidneys but are not addictive, and this week researchers at LSU Health New Orleans Neuroscience Center of Excellence announced they have discovered a new class of drugs that can do the job.

Acetaminophen, sold over the counter worldwide to control pain and reduce fever, is not the harmless drug it appears for every patient. It is toxic for those with compromised liver function, and long-term use can cause liver or kidney damage.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic presents a new challenge: patients have severe flu-like symptoms, but the virus can also cause renal failure, so acetaminophen is not the best choice. Doctors and patients need analgesics that go easy on the liver and kidneys but are not addictive, and this week, researchers at LSU Health New Orleans Neuroscience Center of Excellence announced they have discovered a new class of drugs that can do the job.

The team ended up with 2 new chemical entities that reduced pain in modeling studies but without the damage to the liver and renal system, as measured by biomarkers, according to senior author Nicolas Bazan, MD, PhD, Boyd Professor and Director of LSU Health New Orleans Neuroscience Center of Excellence.

A test for liver toxicity, using a human liver cell line,

Reference

Is Codeine Bad For You

Codeine is a medication and can be helpful if used as prescribed and only for a short period of time. It can be an effective pain management medication and can help suppress coughing. However, codeine can be bad for you if you misuse it, take it in ways other than whats prescribed, or use it for prolonged periods of time. Never take someone elses codeine or in a way that isnt prescribed by your doctor.

See More: Codeine Side Effects

Recommended Reading: Does Tylenol Filtered Through The Kidneys

Can Analgesics Hurt Kidneys

Check with your doctor to be sure you can use these medicines safely, particularly if you have kidney disease. 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. The warning labels on over-the-counter analgesics tell you not to use these medicines for more than l0 days for pain and more than three days for fever. If you have pain and/or fever for a longer time, you should see your doctor. The doctor can check for possible medical problems and advise you about what medications you should take.

If you have decreased kidney function, painkillers called NSAIDs and higher dose aspirin are not recommended. Even with normal kidney function, you should use analgesics:

• Exactly as prescribed or as on the label
• At the lowest dose possible
• For the shortest period of time

Tips For Taking Ibuprofen To Avoid Liver Damage And Other Side Effects

Is ibuprofen bad for your liver? Maybe, and it can have other side effects if taken in a wrong way. So extra care is needed when taking ibuprofen.

Before Taking Ibuprofen

Note that you should inform your doctor, pharmacist or dentist in the following cases:

• You have a history of high blood pressure or hypertension.
• You have ever had deep vein thrombosis or any other blood clotting conditions.
• You have had a problem with your liver or kidney functions.
• You have a history of blood sugar and cholesterol.
• You have allergic reactions to certain medicines or asthma.
• You have any history of stomach or duodenal ulcers.
• You are either pregnant, trying for a baby or already breastfeeding.
• You have a heart condition.
• You have ever experienced an allergic reaction to any other NSAIDs such as diclofenac, aspirin, indomethacin, and naproxen.
• You suffer from any connective tissue conditions like lupus .

How to Take Ibuprofen

Also Check: Does Red Wine Cause Kidney Stones

Don’t Miss: How Long For Kidney Infection To Go Away

Sensitivity And Subgroup Analysis

To appraise the robustness of our analysis, sensitivity and subgroup analyses were conducted by pooling model , study design, the dose of acetaminophen, duration of acetaminophen use, type of toxic dose, type of renal impairment, comorbidity, exposure to other nephrotoxic drugs, and quality of the studies. Articles with unadjusted ORs were omitted and not included in our analysis.

Nsaids: Actions On The Kidney

The renal effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, specifically PGE2 and PGI2. These prostaglandins are responsible for maintaining renal blood flow thus, decreasing their synthesis can result in sodium and water retention and may cause edema in some people those with a history of heart failure or kidney disease are at particularly high risk.3 With regard to drug-drug interactions, the renal effects of NSAIDs can mitigate the beneficial effects of antihypertensive medications.3

The elderly are a high-risk population for adverse effects from NSAIDs.4 Owing to the above-mentioned adverse effects, if use cannot be avoided, it is preferable to use NSAIDs at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration.3 Furthermore, in the elderly, compromise of existing renal function can occur, especially when creatinine clearance is 30 mL/min.4

You May Like: How To Donate Your Car To The Kidney Foundation

Which Painkillers Can You Use If You Have Heart Or Kidney Disease

There is no simple answer. The best painkiller to use depends on your health problems. It also depends on any other drugs you take. Be sure to tell your doctor about any prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, or herbal medicines you take.

Over-the-counter Tylenol is often the best choice for people with high blood pressure, heart failure, or kidney problems.

• However, high doses of Tylenol can damage the liver, so take the lowest dose you can to get enough pain relief.
• Never take more than 4,000 milligrams a day. Thats equal to twelve 325 mg pills.

If Tylenol or generic acetaminophen do not work, ask your doctor about using a stronger prescription painkiller, such as Ultram for a short time.

• If you have kidney problems, do not take more than 200 mg a day. And take it once every 12 hours to limit the risk of side effects.
• Do not use tramadol if you have epilepsy or if you take Paxil , Prozac , or Zoloft . Taking tramadol with these drugs can increase your risk of seizures.

This report is for you to use when talking with your healthcare provider. It is not a substitute for medical advice and treatment. Use of this report is at your own risk.

08/2012

Important Information About All Medicines

Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital. Take the container with you, even if it is empty. This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours. Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you. If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

Read Also: Can Mio Cause Kidney Stones

Also Check: Can Kidney Stones Cause Weight Loss

Benadryl Induced Kidney Damage

Benadryl is a first-generation, sedating antihistamine of the ethanolamine class. It is available in a variety of dosage forms, including:

• Oral
• Topical
• Parenteral

While Benadryl is excreted renally , it is extensively metabolized in the liver and metabolism speed may be reduced in the presence of hepatic impairment. Dosage reduction may be required in these individuals.

In terms of Benadryl damaging the kidneys, there have been a fewcase reports, but have typically only occurred in cases of overdose.

One such case study involved an individual who intentionally overdosed on Benadryl and alcohol, and was diagnosed with acute renal failure and subsequently suffered from rhabdomyolysis.

Another study noted that Benadryl, or any drug that has significant anticholinergic properties, can cause urinary retention and therefore increase the risk of renal kidney injuries in those with a pre-existing disease:

“Anticholinergic medications, such as diphenhydramine , can cause postrenal obstruction . Obstruction can occur from the urinary tubule to the urethra, resulting in urine accumulation and ultimately increasing upstream pressure and decreasing GFR.”

Since Benadryl can cause urinary retention , it is recommended to be used cautiously in individuals with bladder obstruction or urinary retention. This is a general precaution with any drug that has anticholinergic effects.

References

How Bad Is Acetaminophen For The Liver

Acetaminophen, commonly recognized by the brand name of Tylenol, is an over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer. It is also an active ingredient in many cold and flu medicines. It is used to treat simple conditions such as headache, arthritis, toothaches, colds, fevers, and muscle aches and pains.

Also Check: Where Would Back Hurt With Kidney Infection

Study Links Heavy Use Of A Pain Reliever To Kidney Failure

• Send any friend a story

  As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Anyone can read what you share.

  Give this article

Heavy use of Tylenol and other brands of acetaminophen to relieve pain may cause about 5,000 cases of kidney failure in the United States each year, a new study has found.

In a second study, researchers found that when people took moderate amounts after fasting, the drug could damage the liver.

The kidney study, being published on Thursday in The New England Journal of Medicine, found that averaging just one pill a day for at least a year might double the risk of kidney failure. Despite the apparent hazard, however, researchers noted that both kidney and liver damage were rare, even for heavy users. For most people who take a pill or two occasionally for a headache, the medicine appears safe.

Nevertheless, the researchers estimate that eliminating heavy use of acetaminophen could prevent 10 percent of the cases of kidney failure, a life-threatening condition requiring kidney dialysis. Preventing such cases would reduce the nation’s medical bills by about $700 million a year, the study said.

Last year acetaminophen accounted for 48 percent of the nation’s $2.9 billion over-the-counter pain reliever sales, according to Kline & Company, a consulting firm. Tylenol made up about 70 percent of acetaminophen sales.

*The risk was double in people who used it an average of once or more a day for at least a year.

How To Safely Take Tylenol

If used in healthcare provider recommended doses, taking Tylenol is safe, even for most people with liver disease who do not drink alcohol. Liver damage from Tylenol can depend on several factors. Some of them are:

• The amount of Tylenol you take
• The amount of alcohol you drink
• If you take other medications with Tylenol. Some drugs, including opiods, dilantin, and others, may interact poorly with Tylenol and increase the risk of liver damage certain herbal supplements can also interact with Tylenol and cause liver damage.
• Your level of nutrition

Don’t Miss: How Does Sodium Affect The Kidneys

What Can I Do To Keep My Kidneys Healthy

Kidney disease caused by analgesics is often preventable Here are some things you can do to help keep your kidneys healthy.

• Do not use over-the-counter 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 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
• If you are taking analgesics, avoid drinking alcohol
• If you have kidney disease, consult your doctor before taking an analgesic, particularly NSAIDs and higher dose aspirin.
• Use NSAIDs under your doctor’s supervision if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease or liver disease or 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
• Make sure you read the warning label before using any over-the-counter analgesics.