7 Common Medications That Can Damage Your Kidneys

seven common medications that can be harmful for your kidneys we live in a time of medications they help us somewhat but they can also kill us silently now as we age our kidneys won't work as smoothly it's important to keep them away from too many chemicals and medicines but it's challenging because aging often brings a host of health issues and more pills to take certain medications can be nephrotoxic meaning they can cause direct or indirect harm to the kidneys as a result the kidney's ability to filter blood diminishes and harmful waste builds up leading to serious health issues kidney damage severity is measured in stages ranging from mild dysfunction to complete failure the risk of kidney damage from drugs or drug induced nephrotoxicity increases as you age and have kidney conditions there are two main types of kidney damage from medications dose dependent toxicity and idiosyncratic toxicity dose dependent toxicity means that damage increases with higher doses in contrast idiosyncratic toxicity is unpredictable and varies greatly between people sometimes it's best to avoid these drugs altogether drug induced nephrotoxicity can result from muscle tissue breakdown or rabdom myolysis kidney tissue death or renal infarction and acid buildup or renal tubular acidosis this can result in decreased kidney function and other conditions like nephrotic syndrome or electrolyte imbalances in this video we'll explore the impact of common medications on Kidney Health and provide practical tips for managing these drugs safely remember understanding the risks associated with them can Empower you to make informed decisions about your Healthcare stay tuned and learn how to protect your kidneys while effectively treating other medical conditions before we dive in kindly note that all information you'll find in this video is produced by humans and for humans you can visit our website at health.com to see our Advisory board and the team Behind these videos we do not use artificial intelligence writing tools like chat GPT to automatically generate content be assured our information is Thoroughly fact checked unbiased and reviewed by qualified professionals all right it's time to swing back to the medications that can be harmful for your kidneys seven antibiotics antibiotics are prescribed often but they are not without risk does your doctor prescribe antibiotics for your sore throat skin infection or other infection if so it could be harming your kidneys first let's take a look at what antibiotics are antibiotics also known as antibacterials or antimicrobials are a group of medications designed to combat bacterial infections they work either by killing bacteria or preventing them from reproducing you can find common antibiotics with the brand names like cpro Augmentin fagil Baum or amoxicillin these drugs could be prescribed to treat strep throat pneumonia urinary tract infections or UTI in short or skin infections antibiotics can treat these bacterial infections but they can't treat viral infections such as colds flu bronchitis most coughs and most sore throats so you should be extra cautious when your doctor prescribes antibiotics if prescribed improperly you might experience side effects such as diarrhea and liver and kidney problems even when properly used some antibiotics such as polymixins aminoglycosides and vankomycin can harm your kidneys simply put your kidneys play a crucial role in removing antibiotics and Other Drugs from your body but beware antibiotics like polymixin may damage kidney cell membranes possibly causing kidney injury similarly another antibiotic aminoglycosides can accumulate in kidney cells causing cell death and harming kidney tubules in general the mechanism by which each antibiotic causes kidney injury is still not fully understood but it might involve inflammation and harm to kidney cells for antibiotics to be effective and Safe For Kidney Health it's important to use them correctly did you know that nearly onethird of antibiotics prescribed in the United States aren't even appropriate for the conditions being treated that's according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and prevention or CDC in short and a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association before you ask for an antibiotic or if your doctor prescribes one knowing which conditions they can treat is important you can ask them is this necessary and most doctors will gladly explain why it's needed if antibiotics are truly needed follow the dosage exactly as instructed and adhere to any food requirements even if you feel better never save antibiotics for future use or give your prescribed antibiotics to someone else as prescriptions are tailored to individual health needs and conditions are you enjoying our video so far if so please give us some hints by dropping a like and we'll make more content like this six non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or nids in short some may not recognize non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs but have you heard of ibuprofen aspirin Motrin cerac telic coxib or Naproxin yes they're all nids and you can purchase some of them without a prescription in fact nids are very common over 30 million people take them daily nids are commonly used to ease headaches sprains and strains colds and flu and pain from arthritis at their core Neds mainly work by blocking an enzyme called cyc oxygenase or coxen short this enzyme helps produce pain causing substances however Cox is also important for protecting the kidneys during stress and helping regulate sodium and water excretion so when nids block Coxs it's a big reason why these drugs can harm your kidneys in fact all nids can cause acute kidney injury or Aki in short especially in older people and when taken in high doses or overextended periods this injury appears in two main ways one because blood flow changes and the other because of inflammation both caused by blocking first blocked can narrow kidney blood vessels reducing blood flow this can lead to fluid retention high blood pressure and even mild temporary kidney impairment if this goes unchecked it might cause more severe issues like acute tubular necrosis where kidney tubules die due to lack of oxygen and acute kidney failure even though this can initially look like acute kidney failure it could eventually progress to chronic kidney disease second although Neds are anti-inflammatory drugs prolonged use can trigger inflammation in kidney tubules the tiny structures that filter waste this inflammation is rare but overall kidney issues stemming from NSAIDs are a big concern affecting 1% to 5% of daily users worldwide this means that each year around 500,000 to 2.5 million people experience kidney injury from NSAIDs what's worse these drugs are often involved in Hospital admissions because of adverse drug events some of which can be deadly a 2006 study published in the Journal of the American Society of nephrology analyzed data from over 10,184 people who were prescribed nids for various conditions the results showed that nids use raised the risk of acute kidney injury by 26% especially within the first 30 days of use this result emphasizes the need for caution when prescribing and using these medications in another study scientists looked at 99 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain who took nids for 12 months they found that most patients kidney function decreased after Ned's use but returned to normal after switching to another pain reliever drug for those interested in the evidence the studies supporting our claims are provided in the link in our description box now the next set of drugs on our list might surprise you because they're typically considered pretty good for your kidneys five diuretics diuretics help with conditions like fluid retention or swelling often seen in heart and kidney failure and liver cup osis some diuretics are available over the counter but prescription diuretics are typically stronger common diuretics includes hydrochlorizide or HCTZ banide in bumix furosemide sold as Lasix spironolactone found in alone and acetazolamide in diox they work by increasing urine output they're also good for expelling excess salt and water through urine which can help with hypertension or high blood pressure a leading risk factor for kidney disease thus diuretics are generally suitable for your kidneys while diuretics are beneficial overall they don't come without risks especially concerning Kidney Health in fact they don't directly damage the kidneys or affect their filtering function like nids instead they act further down the kidney's process altering the urine's concentration and composition this increases the amount of urine or changes the levels of electrolytes in it so excessive use or high doses of diuretics can lead to dehydration a risk factor for kidney damage a study looked at 131 patients using diuretics and having acute kidney injury from 1999 to 2010 at a hospital at first 96.2% of the patients already had at least one health issue before starting diuretics with chronic kidney disease or CKD in short being the most common at at 55.0% they found that patients who use diuretics had higher rates of kidney disease and its risk factors like hypertension and diabetes the higher the dose the bigger the risk also about 27.5% of the cases of acute kidney injury were caused by diuretics alone while others were due to a combination of diuretics and Other Drugs so always consult your doctors before starting new medications with diuretics for people with CKD who are taking diuretics it's important to stay hydrated and regularly check for electrolytes and kidney function nowadays there are more home testing options available than ever before so people can now check their kidney function from the comfort of their own homes four proton pump inhibitors proton pump inhibitors or ppis in short are widely used medications available over the counter these drugs effectively treat conditions like gastroesophagal reflux disease or jured in short or acid reflux by reducing stomach acid production this is because ppis Target an enzyme in the stomach called hydrogen potassium atpa or proton pump which is crucial for acid secretion although ppis are generally safe and great at soothing acid related discomfort such as heartburn they still carry risks particularly For Kidney Health for example PPI eyes have been linked with acute interstitial nefritis or Aion in short a kidney disorder characterized by inflammation in the spaces between the kidney tubules even though only a tiny number of PPI users develop Ain this drug has become a common cause of drug induced Ain in developed countries more concerning Ain caused by ppis often shows no apparent signs and often goes unnoticed so long-term PPI use may lead to lower kidney function and acute sudden kidney injury over time this can even progress to CKD an often overlooked side effect of long-term PPI use is low magnesium levels in the blood or hypomagnesemia which is linked to CKD simply put hypomagnesemia can disrupt your electrolyte balance and cause inflammation triggering kidney disease low magnesium can also lead to other serious health problems including muscle spasms seizures and irregular heartbeats a 2019 cohort study in the Journal of pharmacotherapy investigated the effects of ppis on kidney function this study checked how PPI use relates to new cases of acute kidney injury or Aki in short and chronic kidney disease in a large group of people when they examined a group of 93335 people they found that those taking ppis had a 4.35 times higher risk RIS of Aki compared to those who didn't similarly taking ppis was linked to a higher risk of CKD when researchers examined a group of 84,600 people PPI users had a 1.2 times higher risk of CKD compared to non-users so people taking ppis should have regular checkups to monitor their kidney function and magnesium levels after all don't let the solution to one problem become the SCE of another while ppis can provide significant relief from Acid related issues long-term use of them can harm your kidneys and cause other problems such as infections fractures or nutritional deficiencies so it's important to take ppis for the shortest time possible to relieve acid related issues without raising the risk of side effects three ACE inhibitors Angiotensin converting enzyme or Ace in short Inhibitors are prescription medicines widely prescribed to lower blood pressure and manage conditions affecting the heart blood vessels and kidneys common ACE inhibitors are lisinopril sold as zestril pil remail found in alt anail in vasotec and bazail in lotensin these drugs work by blocking an enzyme that produces Angiotensin 2 which Narrows blood vessels and increases blood pressure by stopping this enzyme in its tracts ACE inhibitors help relax blood vessels thereby lowering blood pressure and reducing stress on the heart normally ACE inhibitors also improve blood flow to the kidneys easing the workload on these vital kidney-shaped organs this enhanced blood flow can protect the kidneys especially over the long term moreover ACE inhibitors may help reduce the presence of protein in the urine a common problem in chronic kidney conditions in fact ACE inhibitors are commonly recommended for people with kidney disease while these medications boast protective benefits they're not without risks when you mix them with Neds and diuretics your risk of Aki can increase also when you don't drink enough water to meet your body's needs Taking ACE inhibitors can put you at more risk of Aki if you're concerned about your risk of Aki when taking these drugs it's best to talk to your doctor about way to lower it some people are concerned that ACE inhibitors might decrease your estimated glomular filtration rate or egfr typically a higher egfr suggests better kidney function however ACE inhibitors Reduce egfr by relieving pressure on the kidneys allowing the small filters called glomeruli to relax while this may cause a slight decline in egfr it doesn't indicate kidney trouble it simply means the kidneys are relaxing however sometimes egfr may drop too much this is especially risky in patients with heart failure chronic kidney disease or blockage in both renal arteries or bilateral renal artery if this occurs your doctor May adjust your dosage or stop the medicine temporarily to find the cause note that in rare cases particularly in patients with conditions like heart failure or severe dehydration ACE inhibitors can cause aute renal failure however once stopping the medication most patients recover with outlasting kidney damage even after needing dialysis so patients with heart failure diabetes or CKD benefit from ACE inhibitors because they ease the strain on the kidneys and offer long-term kidney protection however dosages should be adjusted carefully and kidney function should be regularly checked two antiv drugs most viruses clear up without antiviral drugs but doctors prescribe them for serious or longlasting infectious diseases like covid-19 Ebola flu genital herpes Hepatitis B and C and HIV these drugs can clear the flu and combat other viruses from your body for a flu two common antiviral drugs are oseltamivir Tamiflu and xanim relenza in contrast for chronic infections like HIV hepatitis and herpes antivirals can't cure them completely but they can ease symptoms and reduce their severity antiviral drugs offer many benefits in treating viral infections yet their potential to harm the kidneys cannot be overlooked this risk whether from direct toxicity or Crystal buildup that can cause kidney stones is a serious concern careful management and customized treatments are necessary espe especially for people with existing kidney problems let's take for example REM Desir a drug for emergency use in covid-19 cases REM Desir contains a substance called sbcd which is mainly removed from the body by the kidneys in people with kidney issues sbcd might build up and cause kidney toxicity some clinical trials have inconsistently reported a decrease in kidney function with REM dese moreover data from Global databases showed a significant increase in cases of acute kidney failure associated with REM dese compared to other covid-19 drugs however there hasn't been enough large scale clinical data to confirm whether REM dese is safe or harmful for people with kidney issues so further studies are necessary to provide Clarity in this area besides REM Desir the use of more effective antiviral drugs often leads to drug induced acute kidney injury some some antiviral drugs like cetaphobia adobere foset acyclovir interferin and tenopir can directly cause cell death in kidney tubules by reducing blood flow or increasing toxins this condition is called acute tubular necrosis Additionally the antiviral drug atazanavir can cause inflammation in the interstitial tissue of the kidneys impairing kidney function also ayav in davier and foser net can cause crystals buildup in the kidneys blocking the kidney tubules in contrast some antiviral drugs like vered and foser net can help manage kidney damage but they also pose a notable risk of kidney failure therefore taking these drugs under close medical supervision is crucial to safeguard the kidneys also to safely use antiviral drugs never skip doses or inconsistently take them this practice can lead to virus adaptation making the antiviral less effective this is called antiviral resistance also note that antiviral drugs are only available with a prescription so don't buy them online or from unofficial sources one lithium lithium is a prescription medication for mood stabilizing and certain mental illnesses these mental problems include Mania where one feels highly excited overactive or distracted and bipolar disorder which causes mood swings between extreme highs also known as Mania and lows or depression some brand names of lithium are prial chalit Lum and Le liquid for over 60 years these drugs have enhanced the lives of many individuals suffering from bipolar disorder while lithium can be a Lifeline for calming mood its impact on the kidneys cannot be ignored long-term use of lithium can lead to some serious kidney issues including both acute and chronic kidney disease as well as kidney cysts early on kidney damage from lithium might be reversible but it could become permanent with time the main issue with lithium use is a type of Diabetes linked to kidney damage called nephrogenic diabetes in citus this isn't your typical diabetes caused by high blood sugar in this condition your kidneys can't respond properly to a hormone called antidiuretic hormone or ad H which controls fluid balance the result one may have excessive thirst and too many trips to the bathroom in rare cases long-term use of lithium can even lead to endstage renal disease or ESRD symptoms of kidney trouble from lithium include excessive urine output and thirst frequent nighttime urination and signs of dehydration like low blood pressure and fast heartbeat in severe cases it can cause changes in mental status moreover lithium can make the kidneys excrete too much sodium a condition known as hyponatremia sudden hyponatremia where sodium levels drop quickly in less than 48 hours can cause serious problems if not treated including life-threatening muscle breakdown rabdom olysis severe confusion seizures coma and even death so patients should maintain a regular diet with enough salt and fluids while while taking Lithium moreover when on lithium it's important to define a suitable dosage get yearly blood tests to check cre9 levels and seek medical help if anything seems wrong lithium can harm you in many ways not just by damaging kidneys so before starting it let your doctor know if you have kidney heart thyroid or breathing problems Addison's disease or bugata syndrome extra tips for cautious use do you suspect that your medication is affecting your Kidney Health it's important to seek medical advice right away symptoms of kidney failure might not be apparent initially but as the condition worsens signs such as decreased urine output swelling in the legs shortness of breath and severe fatigue become more evident if untreated the consequences can be life-threatening let's ensure you remember these symptoms to know when to act if you taking any of the medications that have been discussed in this video check your kidney function regularly using tests that include blood create n levels glomerular filtration rate or GFR in short and urine tests for protein proper hydration helps your kidneys clear sodium Uria and toxins from the body which can mitigate the impact of nephrotoxic drugs be aware of potential interactions between your prescriptions that could impact your Kidney Health share all your current medications with any healthcare provider who prescribes a new drug yes medications are essential for treating various medical conditions yet certain drugs pose significant risks to Kidney Health and should be used cautiously especially in individuals with existing kidney disease or those predisposed to kidney disease antibiotics nids diuretics proton pump inhibitors ACE inhibitors antiviral drugs and lithium all have the potential to impair kidney function through mechanisms ranging from direct toxicity to effects on renal blood flow and electrolyte imbalances for those with kidney disease it is crucial to avoid or carefully manage the use of these medications patients should work closely with healthc care providers to select treatments that minimize risk to the kidneys adjust dosages as necessary and monitor kidney function regularly a healthy lifestyle can help you keep medication to a minimum try to eat a balanced diet with lean protein fruits and vegetables and exercise regularly to protect your kidneys from any damage and if you're serious about mastering your kidney health and understanding how the Body Works make sure you subscribe to us hit the Bell icon and turn on all notifications so you never miss a life-saving video if you enjoyed this video we believe you'll enjoy the video on the screen here we share the worst 18 habits that may be harmful to your kidneys and tips to avoid them see you there stay informed stay healthy