That headline is too absolute. There isn’t a universal list of eight pills that everyone should stop taking. Some medicines can injure the kidneys or accumulate when kidney function is reduced, but many are safe when appropriately prescribed and monitored. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.
8 medicines that deserve particular caution
- Ibuprofen — an NSAID that can reduce blood flow to the kidneys, particularly with prolonged/high-dose use or dehydration.
- Naproxen — another NSAID with similar kidney risks.
- High-dose aspirin — aspirin above 325 mg/day is considered an NSAID for kidney-risk purposes; low-dose aspirin prescribed for cardiovascular protection is a different situation.
- Certain antibiotics — some can directly affect the kidneys, while others need dose adjustment when kidney function is reduced.
- Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole — prolonged use has been associated with kidney problems; this doesn’t mean short-term use should automatically be stopped.
- Lithium — long-term treatment can affect kidney function and requires monitoring.
- Some antiviral medicines — certain antivirals can be nephrotoxic or accumulate when kidney function is impaired.
- Some immunosuppressants, particularly calcineurin inhibitors used after transplantation — these can affect kidney function and require medical monitoring.
One especially important warning
The combination of an NSAID + an ACE inhibitor/ARB + a diuretic can substantially increase the risk of acute kidney injury, particularly when you’re dehydrated or ill.
And don’t assume that amlodipine or other blood-pressure medicines are “damaging your kidneys.” Medicines such as ACE inhibitors and ARBs can actually protect kidney function in appropriate patients.
