Medications harmful to kidney disease include NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) for pain, certain antibiotics, some blood pressure drugs (ACE inhibitors), some diuretics, certain proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), specific laxatives (like phosphate-based ones), and some supplements (high potassium/phosphorus), as these can reduce blood flow, cause buildup, or directly damage kidneys; always consult your doctor for safe alternatives.
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Certain antidepressants like fluoxetine (Prozac), amitriptyline (Elavil), and doxepin (Zonalon) can cause rhabdomyolysis, leading to acute kidney injury.
Dear G.L.D.: Amitriptyline is on the list of drugs to be avoided in older people. It has strong anticholinergic properties, meaning that it can cause dry mouth, vision changes, difficulty urinating, confusion and memory impairment.
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the top culprits damaging kidneys most, as they harm the delicate filtering blood vessels, leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and failure; other major factors include smoking, obesity, dehydration, poor diet (high sugar/salt/red meat), certain medications (NSAIDs), lack of sleep, and genetic conditions. These factors create a cycle where damaged kidneys worsen blood pressure, further damaging them.
NSAIDs include popular pain relievers and cold medicines that can damage your kidneys if you take them for a long time, or lead to acute kidney injury if you take them when you are dehydrated or your blood pressure is low. Ibuprofen link and naproxen link are NSAIDs.
Metformin is the most common medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It helps to lower your blood sugar to prevent or slow damage to your kidneys.
Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney disease. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. But also heart disease and obesity can contribute to the damage that causes kidneys to fail. Urinary tract issues and inflammation in different parts of the kidney can also lead to long-term functional decline.
ACE inhibitors are go-to medications for managing high blood pressure and heart failure. And in these conditions, they can protect the kidneys. But ACE inhibitors are cleared out of the body through the kidneys, so they also carry a risk of causing kidney injury.
To strengthen your kidneys, focus on a healthy lifestyle: stay hydrated with water, eat a balanced diet low in salt and processed foods, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol, while also managing blood pressure and blood sugar to prevent damage.
These include:
Extreme, on-going tiredness, together with a lack of energy, is often called fatigue. There are lots of reasons why you may experience fatigue with CKD. If your kidneys are not working well, toxins (waste products) build up in your blood and this can make you feel tired and weak.
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Over-the-counter NSAIDS
They are not safe to use when you have kidney disease. Ibuprofen, such as Advil™ and Motrin™. Naproxen, such as Aleve™ and Naprosyn™. Aspirin for pain relief.
Morphine, heroin, cocaine, nicotine and alcohol are the most commonly abused drugs, and their use is associated with various types of renal toxicity. The renal complications include a wide range of glomerular, interstitial and vascular diseases leading to acute or chronic renal failure.
Paracetamol is often found in cold and cough medicines so be careful not to take two different types of paracetamol at the same time. These medications, as tablets, creams or gels, are best avoided if you have kidney disease or a kidney transplant as they can make your kidney function worse.
To support kidney health, focus on fruits like berries, apples, and red grapes; vegetables such as cauliflower, red peppers, and leafy greens; lean proteins like fish (salmon) and egg whites; and healthy fats from olive oil, using herbs and spices instead of salt for flavor, as a varied diet rich in whole foods helps filter toxins and manage inflammation.
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Approximately 1 in 3 adults with diabetes, and 1 in 5 adults with high blood pressure, may have chronic kidney disease. While it's not possible to reverse kidney damage, you can take steps to slow it down.
Amitriptyline is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor if you: have ever had an allergic reaction to amitriptyline or any other medicine. have a heart problem – amitriptyline can make some heart problems worse.
Acetaminophen should be considered as initial and ongoing pharmacotherapy in the treatment of persistent pain, particularly musculoskeletal pain, owing to its demonstrated effectiveness and good safety profile (high quality of evidence, strong recommendation).