Frequent use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen could pose a significant risk to kidney health, experts have cautioned. Kidney Care UK and the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) are urging consumers, particularly those with diabetes or high blood pressure, to be cautious about frequently using Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
Olivier Picard, chair of the NPA, said: “Medicines have the power to harm as well as to heal… 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.” He advised speaking to a pharmacist for concerns about NSAID usage.
Fiona Loud, policy director at Kidney Care UK, explained that kidneys regulate blood pressure, keep bones healthy, filter blood and remove toxins. She outlined eight ways to maintain kidney health: staying hydrated with six to eight glasses of water a day; eating plenty of fruit and vegetables while avoiding ultra-processed foods; getting blood pressure checked at a pharmacy; reducing salt intake; exercising for 150 minutes a week; regular kidney checks for those with diabetes or high blood pressure; quitting smoking; and using Kidney Care UK’s online kidney health checker.
Smokers are four times more likely to develop kidney failure, according to Kidney Care UK. Loud added that keeping blood pressure healthy is crucial: “If your kidneys are not working so well, the heart has to pump harder and that places significant strain on the cardiovascular system.”
