Key Summary
- Kidney Care UK and the NPA warn that long-term use of NSAIDs like Ibuprofen can damage kidneys.
- Many patients are unaware of the risk, with one in four regularly using these OTC painkillers.
- Patients are urged to check their kidney health and speak to pharmacists or GPs.
Kidney patient support charity Kidney Care UK and the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) have jointly warned against the long-term use of drugs like Ibuprofen, as it can lead to kidney damages.
Medications like Ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac that fall under the category of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increase patients’ blood pressure and damages the blood vessels with the kidneys.
As per the charity’s recent survey, three quarters of UK’s kidney patients were unaware that long-term usage or high doses these drugs could severely harm their kidneys.
The survey found that one in four people who took part in the survey regularly used these over the counter (OTC) NSAIDs like Ibuprofen as painkillers.
NPA chair Olivier Picard said, “Medicines have the power to harm as well as to heal. Although NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, are effective and safe medicines, patients should be aware of their impact, particularly if a patient is at increased risk of developing kidney disease and consider alternative medication where appropriate.”
“If a patient has concerns about their usage of NSAIDs, they should speak to their pharmacist who can advise them,” he added.
In the UK there are around one million people who have kidney disease but are not aware of it.
People with high blood pressure, diabetes, or having a family history of kidney disease are at risk to develop the ailment. It is more prevalent among people from black and south Asian communities.
The survey found that a majority of the patients in the UK were unaware of their health condition and the lifestyle changes they need to make.
One in ten patients found they had chronic kidney disease through the NHS App, and 40 per cent of the patients did not get a chance to discuss their condition with a health professional.
Kidney Care UK’s policy director Fiona Loud said, “Kidney diseases can happen to anyone at any time, and can have a devastating impact on your life, relationships, finances as well as your physical and mental health. You can lose up to 90 per cent of your kidney function without realising so it’s important to be aware of the signs to look out for, to know if you might be at increased risk, and what to do if you are concerned.”
“It only takes a few minutes to complete our online Kidney Health Checker to see if you might be at increased risk. If you have any concerns, you can raise these with your GP or have a chat with your local pharmacist,” she added.
Kidney Care UK and NPA are working closely with the pharmacies across the UK to raise awareness on chronic kidney diseases in March, as the World Kidney Day falls on Thursday (12).
Patients are being encourage to discuss their kidney health with pharmacists, and complete the Kidney Care UK online Kidney Health Checker.
