Does Ibuprofen Affect The Kidneys?

Ibuprofen is a non-prescription pain reliever that patients can purchase over the counter. It is a member of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) class of painkillers. Ibuprofen is used to treat headaches, dental pain, menstrual cramps, muscle aches, arthritis, and other types of pain.

Additionally, it is utilized to alleviate minor cold or flu-related aches and pains and lower fever. It prevents your body from making certain natural substances that make you feel swollen. This effect reduces pain, swelling, and fever.

Does Ibuprofen Have Any Relation With Kidney Damage?

Yes, Ibuprofen damages the kidney in different ways. Ibuprofen produces nephrotoxicity in three ways. One is the kidney's direct toxicity. The second is secondary renal damage brought on by Ibuprofen's deposition of Ag-Ab complexes, or antigen-antibody complexes, on the glomeruli.

The effects determine the third it has on drugs. Ibuprofen reduces PG production by inhibiting the COX enzyme, causing the renal tubules to contract, reducing renal blood flow (RBF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and, ultimately, renal tubular toxicity.

How Does Ibuprofen Affect Kidneys?

Hormones, electrolytes, vitamins, and nutrients, as well as toxins and waste, are removed from the blood by your kidneys. The kidneys transfer the active ingredients into the bloodstream when you take medications.

Ibuprofen reduces pain and inflammation by constricting blood vessels and reducing renal blood flow. Your kidney function may be compromised due to this decrease in blood flow, and improper use of medications like Ibuprofen may also impair the kidneys. 

Dehydration, chronic kidney disease, old age, heart failure, or liver failure necessitate increased blood flow. These could put you at risk for kidney damage caused by Ibuprofen. NSAID use can increase your risk of kidney damage from other kidney toxins, like some antibiotics.

The patient should avoid NSAIDs if they have a chronic condition like kidney disease because they can make it more likely that their kidneys will fail.

The Proof Center

Based on the FAERS database, the current study identified signals for kidney injury following Ibuprofen and acetaminophen in real-world practice, and APAP indicated a potentially stronger association. Because the time it takes for kidney damage to occur after administration varies significantly, it is essential to raise awareness of this fact immediately following the first dose.

Additionally, APAP-related kidney injury is linked to a higher mortality rate, which may be caused by kidney and liver failure. Our study paves the way for additional pharmacovigilance and pharmacoepidemiological investigations into this topic to test the hypotheses it generated. (PubMed)

Kidney Damage Symptoms Associated With Ibuprofen

The most typical symptoms of kidney damage due to Ibuprofen are as follows:
An increase in the urgency of urination

• Bloody urine (hematuria)
• Pain in the back where the kidneys or back renal area is located
• Decreased urine output
• Drowsiness, confusion, or lethargy
• Numbness, especially in the arms and legs
• Nausea & vomiting
• Swelling (edema)
• Easy bruising or bleeding

Blood tests can detect damage to the kidneys regularly. Analgesic nephropathy may find similarities with other medical conditions or issues in appearance.

How To Avoid Kidney Damage While Taking Ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can occasionally cause kidney problems. If you are dehydrated, have heart failure or kidney disease, are older, or take certain medications, issues are more likely to happen. 

Kidney damage from Ibuprofen is frequently preventable. How you take your medications can affect your risk. Adherence to the label's instructions is essential to prevent kidney problems.

You should tell your medical team how often and how many pills you take with this medication. You should drink a lot of fluids when taking Ibuprofen to avoid becoming dehydrated. You can recommend a safer alternative and order routine kidney function tests if you have particular risks.

Conclusion

Ibuprofen may damage the kidneys if painkillers are used for a long time. Prescription and over-the-counter medications are included in this. Most people with this condition are over 45, and women over 30 are more likely to experience it. There are frequently no symptoms. Routine tests of the blood or urine can detect it.

Side effects are connected with the development of poisons and side effects regularly shifted by the kidneys. Kidney damage due to NSAIDs can progress to cancer, atherosclerosis, or acute kidney failure. 

When taken as directed, Ibuprofen is typically safe for occasional use, but you should avoid it if you are aware of decreased kidney function. Patients with kidney, heart, high blood pressure, or liver disease, as well as those over 65 and taking diuretics, should only take these medications under the supervision of a doctor.