What Meds Might Hurt My Kidneys?
Your kidneys get rid of waste in your body and help you hold on to the right amount of fluid. They also send out hormones that keep your blood pressure steady, and they play a role in making red blood cells. They even make a form of vitamin D that’s good for your bones.
Some medications can make those things hard for your kidneys to do and keep them from working the way they should.
Antibiotics
These drugs affect your kidneys in different ways. For example, some can make crystals that don't break down and can block your urine flow. Others have substances that can damage certain kidney cells when they try to filter them out. Some people also have allergic reactions to antibiotics that can affect their kidneys. All these things are more likely to happen if you take antibiotics for a long time or your dose is very high.
Diuretics
Doctors use these medicines, also known as water pills, to treat high blood pressure and some kinds of swelling. They help your body get rid of extra fluid. But they can sometimes dehydrate you, which can be bad for your kidneys.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Whether they're over-the-counter -- like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin), or naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn) -- or prescribed by your doctor, you shouldn’t use them regularly for a long time or take high doses of them.
Overuse of pain meds causes up to 5% of chronic kidney failure cases every year.
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
These medications (Aciphex, Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid) are used to treat heartburn, ulcers, and acid reflux. They lower the amount of acid in your stomach, but studies have shown that taking them for a long time can raise your chances of serious kidney problems and possibly lead to kidney failure.
Other heartburn medicines called H2 blockers (Pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac) are less likely to cause these issues. If you take a PPI regularly, ask your doctor if switching to another drug might be better for you.
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