8 medicines that can harm the kidneys
The headline “eight pills you shouldn’t take” is misleading. These medicines aren’t automatically dangerous for everyone, and some are essential treatments. The risk depends on the drug, dose, duration, kidney function, dehydration, and other medicines being taken.
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Eight medication groups worth discussing with a doctor or pharmacist are:
Ibuprofen — an NSAID that can cause acute kidney injury, especially with dehydration or existing kidney disease.
Naproxen — another NSAID with similar kidney risks.
Diclofenac — an NSAID that can affect kidney blood flow and function.
Ketorolac — a particularly potent NSAID that requires caution with kidney function.
Celecoxib — a COX-2 inhibitor that can also affect the kidneys.
Some antibiotics — certain antibiotics can cause kidney injury or require dose adjustment when kidney function is reduced.
Some antiviral or cancer medicines — particular drugs in these groups can be nephrotoxic and require kidney monitoring.
Some medicines that accumulate when kidney function falls — a drug may become unsafe not because it directly damages the kidneys, but because impaired kidneys can’t clear it properly.
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The biggest everyday warning
NSAID painkillers are the main concern for many people. Regular use of ibuprofen, naproxen and similar drugs can damage the kidneys, and the risk is higher if you’re dehydrated, have chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
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Importantly, don’t stop prescribed blood-pressure medicines such as ACE inhibitors or ARBs just because you hear that they affect the kidneys. These medicines can actually protect kidney function and slow kidney disease in appropriate patients.
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Never stop a prescribed medication without medical advice. If you give me the names of the medicines you’re taking, I can check which ones have kidney-related risks and which combinations require particular caution.
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