8 Common Medications That Can Affect Your Kidneys—and Why Self-Medicating Is Risky
Your kidneys filter many medicines from your blood. Some drugs can directly injure the kidneys, while others can become dangerous when kidney function is already reduced or when you’re dehydrated.
1. NSAID painkillers đź’Š
Examples include ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, and high-dose aspirin. Regular or high-dose use can reduce blood flow to the kidneys and increase the risk of acute kidney injury, particularly during dehydration.
2. Certain antibiotics
Some antibiotics can directly affect the kidneys, while others can accumulate when kidney function is reduced. The correct drug and dose should be determined by a healthcare professional.
3. Certain antiviral medicines
Some antivirals are eliminated through the kidneys and may require dose adjustments. A few can also cause kidney-related side effects.
4. Certain antifungal medicines
Some antifungal drugs can affect kidney function, and dosing may need to be adjusted when kidney function is impaired.
5. ACE inhibitors and ARBs
Medicines such as lisinopril and losartan are not simply “kidney-damaging drugs”—in many people they protect kidney function and slow kidney disease. However, dehydration, certain drug combinations, or particular kidney conditions can increase the risk of acute kidney injury, so they require appropriate monitoring.
6. Diuretics (“water pills”)
Medicines such as furosemide can be important treatments for blood pressure and fluid retention. However, excessive fluid loss or dehydration can contribute to kidney injury, especially when combined with other medicines.
7. Lithium
Lithium is cleared by the kidneys and can accumulate when kidney function falls. Long-term treatment therefore requires medical supervision and monitoring.
8. Some chemotherapy and other specialized medicines
Certain cancer and other specialized medicines can affect the kidneys and require monitoring of kidney function and appropriate dosing
