The headline “Eight pills you shouldn’t take because they damage your kidneys” is a little misleading. There aren’t eight medicines that everyone should simply stop taking. Some medicines can injure the kidneys or accumulate when kidney function is reduced, but the risk depends on the drug, dose, duration, hydration, and your health conditions. National Kidney Foundation+1
8 medicines/classes to be particularly careful with
- Ibuprofen — an NSAID that can reduce kidney blood flow and cause acute kidney injury, especially with dehydration, high doses, or prolonged use.
- 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. National Kidney Foundation
- Certain antibiotics — some can directly affect the kidneys, while others need dose adjustment when kidney function is reduced. Don’t stop an antibiotic without medical advice. National Kidney Foundation
- Some antiviral or antifungal medicines — certain drugs in these groups can be kidney-toxic or accumulate when kidney function is impaired. National Kidney Foundation
- Lithium — long-term or high-level exposure can damage kidney function and impair the kidney’s ability to concentrate urine. National Kidney Foundation
- Some proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) — medicines used for acid reflux have been associated with kidney problems in some people; they should be used appropriately rather than stopped automatically. National Kidney Foundation
- Oral sodium-phosphate bowel preparations — these can cause serious kidney injury in susceptible people, particularly those with kidney disease or certain risk factors. National Kidney Foundation
The biggest everyday warning
For people with kidney disease, NSAID painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen are particularly important to avoid unless a healthcare professional specifically recommends them. The risk is higher when you’re dehydrated or taking certain blood-pressure medicines or diuretics. NIDDK+1
Don’t stop a prescribed medicine just because you saw a list online. A medication that can potentially harm the kidneys may nevertheless be the right treatment when properly prescribed and monitored.
If you give me the names of the medicines you currently take, I can tell you which ones have kidney-related precautions and what questions to ask your doctor or pharmacist.
