Ever wonder why you’re not supposed to take NSAIDS (like Advil) if you have a transplant or some underlying kidney disease? (You did know you shouldnt be taking them don’t you?).
First the headlines
1/28/08 – NYT – Kidney Peril Found in the Pain Reliever Ibuprofen
American Running Association – Ibuprofen and Kidney Damage
In fact as far back as 2001 we were starting to question the safety of these medications in patients with renal issues – NSAIDs and the Kidney Revisited:: Are Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors Safe? (link here)
Unfortunetly, not all of us got the message – I can tell you personally I don’t take Advil or any NSAID (Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug) and haven’t for over 8 years. So what’s the big deal?
The NYT times says the following: “Ibuprofen relieves pain by interfering with the body’s production of prostaglandin, a substance involved in inflammation. But at the same time, the drug constricts blood flow.
Normally, the change poses little risk if used for a short period. But for those whose blood flow to the kidneys is already reduced by kidney, heart or liver damage, flu, or aging, ibuprofen could lead to acute kidney failure.”
You see, if you’re only dealing with one kidney to two bad kidney’s, reduced blood flow to the kidney is a bad thing – it’s kind of like cutting off oxygen to your lungs – you start to suffocate. The same thing happens to the kidneys in the presence of NSAIDS. The question is how much is too much? In the John Hopkins study – 12 tablets a day for 11 days is WAY TOO MUCH – however that’s probably the dose you’d get if you were in the hospital taking prescription strength NSAIDS – Even when reduced to 400mg 3 times a day (the normal dose), patients displayed kidney failure that reversed after stopping the medication.
Now I’m sure there are some of you saying “So what, it reverses after you stop it.” That’s kind of like a boxer going into a boxing ring and fighting everyday – ignoring the punishment and pain – sure they get better after a few days – but what happens after years of abuse? Just look at some of today’s aging boxers – they don’t look so good! If your goal is to maximize the life of your damaged or transplanted kidney, then you should think twice before grabbing that pill bottle.
Consider yourself warned – and stick to the Aspirin!
Michael
I thought aspirin was a form of NSAID. I have been taking aspirin and ibuprofen episodically for years, on the advice of several physicians, when I get a bursitis attack. It aborts the attack, which otherwise might go on forever — until I attack back with aspirin or ibuprofen.
Also, what gives with the mini-aspirin dose that’s supposed to be good for your heart? Any information on that?
Daily aspirin can be extremely dangerous if you were to take 12x 11 day regime of it instead of advil. If you have a bleed there aint a thing they can do to stop the effects of aspirin. Baby aspirin is a whole different thing; same medicine but it 1/3 a normal tablet and taken only once a day. It can be beneficial to nearly everyone, but should alway be discussed with the Dr. As far as what should a kidney patient take, look up any of this crap and it is linked to kidney damage. Anyone with kidney disease should be checking with their Dr. on what meds and supplement are right for them.
Aspirin is an NSAID and just as dangerous as ibuprofen. (Nephrologist as source of information.)
400mg 3x a day is a very high dose. For cardiovascular prophylaxis (the main reason most people take aspirin on medical advice in the UK), the recommended standard prescribed dose is 75mg once daily. Of course, the amounts will make a difference, but to what extent I obviously don’t know…
I have one healthy kidney. I am 68years old, 115 pounds and extremely active–yoga, cardio, walking, swimming, riding my horse–at least 3 of these activities daily. I take a baby aspirin daily. In 2004, the urologist surgeon removed an oncocytoma noncancerous tumor which had consumed my left kidney and thus the removal of the kidney.
Advil is my drug of choice. I only take it on an as needed basis and only need 1 200mg tablet every 4 to 6 hours when I have muscle soreness. Can I use Advil safely?
If you already have kidney disfunction, then acetaminophen is the safest analgesic.
It is less potent at releiving pain than ibuprofen, though acetaminophens pain releiving power is boosted by caffeine (either take your pills with a cup of coffee, or take one of the combination products, such as Panadol Extra or Excedrin Tension Headache)
Aspirin is an NSAID, and should be avoided, except for the low dose tablets used for the heart.
HELP! I’m 30 and had my right kidney removed almost 10 yrs ago due to a genetic malfunction. I crrently have horrible tendonitis in both of my feet. My doctor wanted to put my on NSAIDS to relieve inflammation but I refuse to to take them because I only have one kidney. Are there any medications out there that reduce inflammation but don’t harm kidneys?
Asprin is safer then Advil…
I have one kidney which was removed 6 years ago. I am 68 years old and occasionally take one 200mg Advil tablet and this takes care of the acheness. On a particular bad week, I may take one a day for 5 or 6 days, never more. My kidney doctor said it was ok. Do you agree? I usually don’t need the Advil at all and I do not take it except occasionally PRN.
probably not a big deal, unless you start to develop kidney programs with the one kidney.
My husband has kidney failure and is in the testing process to be added to the transplant list. I am a potential donor. I have been taking 1,000 mg of Etadolac daily for about six months to treat Achilles tendonitis. Will this impair my ability to donate my kidney to my husband?
No it should not – assuming there is no damage to the kidneys from the NSAIDs – in general high dose NSAIDS are tough on the kidneys. Your lab results (Cr and BUN) should clearly document that for the MD – in general I would not worry about it.