Medications That Can Cause Kidney Damage

This entry was posted in Drug Side Effects and tagged Kidneys on July 25, 2024 by Lyle Murphy.

Last Updated on July 26, 2024 by Carol Gillette

Alternative to Meds Editorial Team
Medically Reviewed by Dr Samuel Lee MD

While some pharmaceutical medications can be essential for treating certain life-threatening conditions, others were pushed for off-label use to treat mental health conditions or even promoted by the pharmaceutical industry despite uncertainties regarding their mechanisms of action. Powerful antipsychotics and antidepressant medications are among these drugs, and tapering away from them can have benefits for your physical health and mental well-being. Meanwhile, taking a holistic approach to managing your health can reduce your need to take medications that can harm you.

More than one in seven Americans have chronic kidney disease. ¹ While there are certainly genetic, environmental, and other factors that can lead to kidney disease, there is a growing risk originating from medications that can cause kidney problems. If you take prescription medications, it is important to understand drugs that cause kidney damage and determine whether you may be at risk.

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Health Consequences of Kidney Damage

The kidneys are vital organs that serve several functions.

Filtering Blood – The kidneys remove waste and excess substances from the bloodstream. These toxins are then flushed from the body as urine.
Regulating Fluid – The kidneys help maintain electrolyte balance in the body by regulating how levels of minerals such as sodium, potassium, and calcium.
Hormone Production – Many important hormones are produced by the kidneys, including erythropoietin, which stimulates red blood cell production.

Controlling Blood Pressure – These organs produce hormones like renin that regulate blood pressure. For people struggling with high blood pressure, kidney function is particularly important.
Balancing pH Levels – The acidity of your bloodstream is determined in part by the kidneys, which excrete hydrogen ions and reabsorb bicarbonate from urine. By balancing mineral content, the kidneys help maintain a healthy pH balance in your bloodstream.

Given the wide range of vital functions that are performed by the kidneys, kidney damage can lead to a range of issues, including excess toxin, fluid, and sodium retention, sympathetic nervous system overactivation, electrolyte imbalance, acidosis, and inflammation. Worse, long-term kidney damage can elevate your risk for high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, and thromboembolism. ² Anyone who wants to maintain their health should be mindful of substances that can harm the kidneys, including medications that can cause kidney problems.

Drugs that Are Harmful to Your Kidneys

The number of medications that have been linked to kidney damage is extensive. It is important to remember that everyone’s situation is unique, and ceasing the use of a prescribed medication is not advisable without your physician’s supervision. Consult with a medical professional before taking medications or tapering the use of these medications.

Prescription Pain Medicine

Drugs that cause kidney damage include some prescription pain medications, as they can damage the small filtering blood vessels in the kidneys. This can lead to a chronic condition known as analgesic nephropathy. Painkillers that combine two or more medications (typically codeine, caffeine, Aspirin, and prescription-strength acetaminophen) increase the risk factors for kidney damage. Medications include drugs containing codeine, like Nurofen and Panadeine, and prescription NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like celecoxib, indomethacin, nabumetone, and piroxicam. If you already have kidney concerns, Tramadol, a synthetic analogue for codeine, may increase your risk.³

Antidepressants and Mood Stabilizers

Prescription mood stabilizers used to manage mental health conditions can contribute to kidney problems. Medications that can cause kidney problems include Prozac (fluoxetine), a commonly prescribed antidepressant. Prozac has been linked to kidney damage, and mood stabilizers like lithium and Elavil (amitriptyline) can pose risks to kidney health. These medications may induce muscle breakdown, releasing myoglobin into the bloodstream. Since the kidneys filter myoglobin, this process can lead to kidney damage.⁴

Antipsychotics

Second-generation antipsychotic medications (known as SGAs) are used to treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression with psychosis, borderline personality disorder, Tourette syndrome, and even psychosis related to dementia. However, both long-term and short-term use of SGAs increases the risk of chronic kidney disease, especially when used alongside over-the-counter pain medications. ⁵ SGAs include Abilify (aripiprazole), Seroquel (quetiapine), and Risperdal (risperidone).

OTC Pain Medications

Commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and reduce fever. Unfortunately, even over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen can cause kidney damage, especially when used in high doses or over long periods. The drug can impair the production of prostaglandins, which are essential for maintaining adequate blood flow and filtration in the kidneys. Individuals with preexisting conditions, especially kidney conditions, are especially vulnerable to kidney damage after using ibuprofen for prolonged periods.⁶

Diuretics

Diuretics are generally well-tolerated, but like all medications, they can cause side effects. This is especially true for people who have pre-existing conditions and people who are 60 or over. One potential side effect is acute kidney injury. This risk arises because diuretics reduce blood volume. This disrupts the kidney’s filtration process. The likelihood of kidney damage increases with higher doses of these medications.⁷

While some medications provide vital benefits, the reality of the overuse of prescription and OTC medications is real. In addition, many of these conditions can be made worse by taking multiple medications at once. By taking a holistic approach to your health, you may be able to safely reduce the number of medications that you are on.

Tips for Maintaining Kidney Health

Kidneys play a pivotal role in filtering waste products from the blood, regulating blood pressure, and balancing electrolytes. Here are some tips to help keep your kidneys healthy so that you can improve multiple facets of your health.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration is essential for kidney health, as drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out toxins and prevents the formation of kidney stones. Try to drink at least eight to 10 glasses of water per day. Depending on the climate and your work environment, you may need to drink even more than that to keep your kidneys healthy.⁹

Eat a Balanced Diet

A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins supports kidney function. High levels of sodium can harm your kidneys, so limit sodium intake to help control blood pressure and reduce the risk of kidney damage. Cutting down on the consumption of processed foods, saturated fats, and sugary beverages can help your kidneys and other vital organs.¹⁰

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Along with genetic factors and overuse of medications, obesity is a risk factor for kidney disease and other health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. Adopting a balanced diet can help you maintain a healthy weight. You may be able to reduce the stress on your kidneys.¹¹

Exercise Regularly

Regular physical activity promotes overall health and reduces certain risk factors for kidney disease, such as excess weight. Make walking or biking a part of your weekly activities so you can reduce the risk of developing obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure, all of which are risk factors for kidney disease. Set a goal of working out for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.¹²

Monitor Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can damage the kidneys over time. Monitor your blood pressure regularly. High blood pressure is a sign that you need a plan to lower your blood pressure. This may include lifestyle modifications, such as reducing sodium intake, exercising regularly, and managing stress. Blood pressure can often be treated without the need for medications.¹³

Manage Diabetes

Diabetes and kidney disease are very closely associated. If you have diabetes, work with a nutritionist or another health specialist to manage your blood sugar levels through medication, diet, exercise, and regular monitoring. Keeping your blood sugar under control can help prevent kidney complications.¹⁴

Eliminate Alcohol and Tobacco

Alcohol consumption can impair kidney function and increase the risk of kidney disease. Smoking can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of kidney disease. Eliminating these two substances from your life can help you preserve your kidney health.¹⁵

Avoid Overmedicating

Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and aspirin can harm the kidneys if used excessively or for prolonged periods. Painkillers may be necessary for short periods of time but should be avoided whenever possible. This is especially true if you take any other medications with kidney risks.⁴

Medications and Kidney Damage FAQs

While introducing any medication to the body can cause kidney stress, certain medications are more dangerous for the kidneys than others. Learn more about kidney risks with these FAQs.

What Are Common Risk Factors for Kidney Disease?

The top risk factors for kidney disease are high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes (type 1 or type 2), family history of kidney disease, smoking, obesity, advanced age, cardiovascular disease, and high cholesterol. ⁸ In addition, taking certain medications can increase your risk for kidney damage, especially if you take multiple medications.

What Medication Is Hardest on the Kidneys?

Prescription pain medications, particularly those containing codeine or multiple drugs, as well as psychiatric medications like Prozac, lithium, and antipsychotics, carry the risk of kidney harm. Ibuprofen and diuretics are also known to potentially cause kidney damage. People with pre-existing health conditions (especially kidney issues) are more prone to kidney damage caused by medications. People who are advanced in age are also more likely to experience complications following the use of medications.

What Are the Health Consequences of Kidney Disease?

The kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining health by filtering the blood and eliminating toxins from the body. However, excessive use of certain medications and prescription drugs can compromise their function. This susceptibility to damage underscores the importance of using medications responsibly.

When the kidneys are compromised, the resulting health ramifications extend beyond kidney dysfunction, increasing the likelihood of kidney failure, cardiovascular complications, hypertension, and disruptions in electrolyte balance. It’s essential to be mindful of medication usage and its potential impact on kidney health to mitigate these risks and safeguard overall well-being.

Can the Kidneys Heal?

The kidneys have some ability to heal and regenerate. This is particularly true if the damage is not severe. Addressing the underlying cause of kidney damage (such as medication usage) can improve the chances of success.

The extent of healing depends on various factors such as the underlying cause of the damage, the degree of damage, and the effectiveness of treatment. With appropriate medical intervention, lifestyle changes, and management of underlying conditions, the kidneys can partially or fully recover function.

Are Some Drugs Safer to Stop Taking than Others?

Yes. If you are taking life-saving medication for your heart, blood pressure, or other vital organs, do not alter your prescription without consulting with a physician. Some prescription meds are needed to keep you healthy while others are often overprescribed to treat ADHD and other mental health conditions. Antipsychotics and antidepressants serve important functions, but many are overprescribed and can cause health problems.

Schedule Your Consultation with ATMC Today

Medications can provide important health benefits, but we should all be aware of the potential dangers posed by overprescribed medications. In many cases, there are safer alternatives to medications that can deliver the same health and mental health benefits.

At Alternative to Meds Center, we believe that food is medicine. What we do or do not put into our bodies can have drastic implications for our overall health and well-being. We have helped many people end their dependency on addictive and harmful prescription medications while introducing alternative treatments and practices and addressing the underlying causes of their mental health afflictions and health problems.

To learn more about how you can improve your health by reducing your dependency on medications, reach out to schedule a conversation.

1 (800) 301-3753 for Help Reducing Dependency on Medications

Sources:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (2023). Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States, 2023. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved June 13, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/kidney-disease/media/pdfs/CKD-Factsheet-H.pdf

2. Chan, M., & Liu, K. D. (2024). Acute Kidney Injury and Subsequent Cardiovascular Disease: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Treatment. Seminars in Nephrology, 151515. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semnephrol.2024.151515

3. Jampong, M., Rongkiettechakorn, N., & Rattanasompattikul, M. (2022). Analgesic Nephropathy: A Silent Killer. Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, 42(3), 33648-33651. Retrieved June 13, 2024, from https://biomedres.us/fulltexts/BJSTR.MS.ID.006757.php

4. Khalaf, M., & Althanoon, Z. (2022). Drug-Induced Nephrotoxicity: A Review. Iraqi Journal of Pharmacy, 19(1), 80-89. doi: 10.33899/iphr.2022.174803 https://doi.org/10.33899/iphr.2022.174803

5. Højlund, M., Lund, L. C., Herping, J. L. E., Haastrup, M. B., Damkier, P., & Henriksen, D. P. (2020). Second-generation antipsychotics and the risk of chronic kidney disease: a population-based case-control study. BMJ open, 10(8), e038247. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038247

6. Su L, Li Y, Xu R, et al. Association of Ibuprofen Prescription With Acute Kidney Injury Among Hospitalized Children in China. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(3):e210775. Retrieved June 13, 2024, from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776972

7. Fitzpatrick, J. K., Yang, J., Ambrosy, A. P., Cabrera, C., Stefansson, B. V., Greasley, P. J., Patel, J., Tan, T. C., & Go, A. S. (2022). Loop and thiazide diuretic use and risk of chronic kidney disease progression: a multicentre observational cohort study. BMJ open, 12(1), e048755. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-048755

8. Kazancioğlu, R. (2013). Risk factors for chronic kidney disease: An update. Kidney International Supplements, 3(4), 368-371. https://doi.org/10.1038/kisup.2013.79

9. Nakamura, Y., Watanabe, H., Tanaka, A., Yasui, M., Nishihira, J., & Murayama, N. (2020). Effect of increased daily water intake and hydration on health in Japanese adults. Nutrients, 12(4), 1191. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12041191

10. van Westing, A. C., Küpers, L. K., & Geleijnse, J. M. (2020). Diet and kidney function: a literature review. Current Hypertension Reports, 22, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-020-1020-1

11. Wang, Y., Shu, K., Yang, M., Yang, W., Wu, M., Lin, T., & Chen, C. (2013). The Impact of Body Weight Management in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients With Obesity. Journal of Renal Nutrition, 23(5), 372-379. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jrn.2013.04.004

12. Wilkinson, T. J., Shur, N. F., & Smith, A. C. (2016). “Exercise as medicine” in chronic kidney disease. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 26(8), 985-988. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12714

13. Vupputuri, S., Batuman, V., Muntner, P., Bazzano, L. A., Lefante, J. J., Whelton, P. K., & He, J. (2003). Effect of blood pressure on early decline in kidney function among hypertensive men. Hypertension, 42(6), 1144-1149. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.HYP.0000101695.56635.31

14. Rao, M. V. R., Pallavi, S., Khan, A., Mathai, D., Verma, M. K., & Vasudevan, A. (2020). Sugar disease and its ramification on kidneys. J Clin Med Res, 2(6), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.37191/Mapsci-2582-4333-2(6)-051

15. Alkhatib, L., Velez Diaz, L. A., Varma, S., Chowdhary, A., Bapat, P., Pan, H., Kukreja, G., Palabindela, P., Selvam, S. A., & Kalra, K. (2023). Lifestyle Modifications and Nutritional and Therapeutic Interventions in Delaying the Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease: A Review. Cureus, 15(2), e34572. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.34572

This content has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician.

Dr. Samuel Lee

Dr. Samuel Lee is a board-certified psychiatrist, specializing in a spiritually-based mental health discipline and integrative approaches. He graduated with an MD at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and did a residency in psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. He has also been an inpatient adult psychiatrist at Kaweah Delta Mental Health Hospital and the primary attending geriatric psychiatrist at the Auerbach Inpatient Psychiatric Jewish Home Hospital. In addition, he served as the general adult outpatient psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente. He is board-certified in psychiatry and neurology and has a B.A. Magna Cum Laude in Religion from Pacific Union College. His specialty is in natural healing techniques that promote the body’s innate ability to heal itself.

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Lyle Murphy

Lyle Murphy is the founder of the Alternative to Meds Center, a licensed residential program that helps people overcome dependence on psychiatric medication and addiction issues using holistic and psychotherapeutic methods.

Medical Disclaimer:
Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken as medical advice. The information provided on the website is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. Always consult with your doctor before altering your medications. Adding nutritional supplements may alter the effect of medication. Any medication changes should be done only after proper evaluation and under medical supervision.

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