Kidneys and Meds

[bethsheba]

I just came across a little info that scared me abit...it was a list of just of "few" of the meds that can cause kidney disease. What scared me wasn't the med itself...it was the combo of the med with a pain killer. Given the pain (and stiffness) that many bp medications cause it is very likely that some of us will pop over counter pills in our mouths to deal with the pain (I certainly did, and even though up until 3 years ago I didn't own a bottle of aspirin). Although I try to remind people to tell their docs about the over the counters and herbals they take, I think it best that one check it out for themselves first.

Here's just a partial list of brand name and generic meds that can cause kidney problems:

Prinivil (Lisinopril) and Advil (Ibuprofen)
Prinivil (Lisinopril) and Aleve (Naproxen)
Prinivil (Lisinopril) and Aspirin
Prinivil (Lisinopril) and Motrin (Ibuprofen)
Prinivil (Lisinopril) and Naprosyn (Naproxen)
Prinivil (Lisinopril) and Nuprin (Ibuprofen)

Bethsheba

[flowergirl2day]

It is really scary that drugs we often think of as harmless can cause us such problems.
I am glad Beth has started this thread. We need to be more aware of the potential damage our medication, both OTC and prescription, may cause to the kidneys, in combinations or alone.

These prescription medicines may primarily impair kidney function (without damage):

ACE inhibitors (with renal artery stenosis or CHF)
beta adrenergic blockers
diuretics/NSAIDs -this combination should be AVOIDED
lithium/tricyclic antidepressants AVOID
Nifedipine
NSAIDs
nitroprusside and others

Meds that can cause acute kidney failure-due to kidney damage:

acetaminophen (in excess)
allopurinol
antibiotics
enalapril
oral contraceptives
thiazide diuretics
sulfonamides and others

Muscle destruction and associated acute kidney failure:

adrenocortical steroids
alcohol
amphetamines
haloperidol
cocaine
heroin
lovastatin
opioid analgesics and others

These are only several partial lists of meds with effects on the kidneys. There is also a long list of meds that can cause acute interstitial nephritis. I think anyone on medication should have regular kidney and liver function tests.

flowergirl