What analgesics are safe for people who have kidney disease? Acetaminophen remains the drug of choice for occasional use in patients with kidney disease because of bleeding complications that may occur when these patients use aspirin.
Paracetamol in standard doses is safe to take if you have kidney problems. Opioids can be used carefully starting with small doses and increasing the dose slowly if required and only under medical supervision.
Paracetamol. This can be used safely in people whose kidneys are not working well. The standard dose is 500mg-1g every four-six hours, with a maximum of eight tablets in 24 hours. If you weigh less than 50kg or have liver disease you should only take 500mg every 6-8 hours.
A gel form of the prescription NSAID diclofenac (Voltaren Gel) is one option. Only a very small amount of the drug gets into the bloodstream, so it may be safe for your kidneys.
The bottom line
NSAIDs, diuretics, and ACE inhibitors are potential drugs that cause kidney damage. Certain medications administered in hospital settings, like aminoglycoside antibiotics and vancomycin, can also damage the kidneys.
In conclusion, it is important to remember that paracetamol toxicity can present with acute renal impairment in the absence of liver damage, and these patients should be properly treated to prevent them from developing chronic renal failure.
Are NSAIDs safe to take if you have kidney disease? NSAIDs are usually safe for occasional use when taken as directed. However, if your doctor has told you that you have low kidney function, NSAIDs might not be right for you. These medications should only be used under a doctor's care by patients with kidney disease.
Ibuprofen is harder on the kidneys than acetaminophen. Acetaminophen doesn't have the same effect on the COX pathway as ibuprofen. So kidney damage is much more rare.
Most people with a kidney infection can be treated at home with a course of antibiotics, and paracetamol if needed. See a GP if you feel feverish and have pain in your tummy, lower back or genitals that will not go away.
Unlike Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs, the active ingredient in Tylenol (acetaminophen) does not cause damage to the kidneys. In fact, the National Kidney Foundation recommends acetaminophen as the pain reliever of choice for occasional use in patients who have underlying kidney disease.
Perneger et al investigated 716 patients with renal failure, and concluded that increased paracetamol use was associated with an enhanced risk of renal failure in a dose-dependent manner. Approximately 9% of renal failure cases were attributable to increased paracetamol use.
Finerenone is FDA-approved1 for those with type 2 diabetes-associated kidney disease who have an eGFR above 25 and a urine-albumin creatinine ratio above 30. It may improve kidney and heart outcomes by preventing fibrosis or scarring of the kidneys.
Water: Water is simply the best drink you can have! Water is a zero-calorie, perfectly hydrating, cheap drink. If you are in the earlier stages of kidney disease, choosing water most of the time to quench your thirst will keep your body and kidneys functioning well.
ACE inhibitors and ARBs are two types of blood pressure medicine that may slow the loss of kidney function and delay kidney failure. You can tell if you're taking one of these medicines by its generic name.
Your doctor may recommend low-dose aspirin to reduce your risk of a heart attack. In the lower dose, aspirin doesn't pose the same health risk as full-strength NSAIDs. These medicines are effective at dulling pain, reducing inflammation, and reducing fevers. When used moderately, they are generally considered safe.
Kidney pain often feels like a dull ache that gets worse if someone gently presses on that area. While it is more common to feel kidney pain on only one side, some health problems may affect both kidneys and cause pain on both sides of your back.
Older adults may be at greater risk for stomach/intestinal bleeding, kidney problems, heart attack, and stroke while using this drug. Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the benefits and risks.
Avoid foods that have salt in the first four or five items in the ingredient list. Don't eat ham, bacon, sausage, hot dogs, lunch meats, chicken tenders or nuggets, or regular canned soup. Only eat reduced-sodium soups that don't have potassium chloride as an ingredient (check the food label.)
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.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) worsens over time. High blood pressure and diabetes are two common causes of CKD. There's no cure for CKD, but you can take steps to preserve function for as long as possible. Late-stage kidney disease requires dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Paracetamol overdose is one of the leading causes of acute liver failure. Adults can usually take one or two 500mg tablets every 4-6 hours, but shouldn't take more than 4g (eight 500mg tablets) in the space of 24 hours.