For Immediate Release

Contact: John M. Martino
Phone Number:  (215) 895-1186
Date: 03/03/01

USP Health Tip:

Overexposure To OTC Drugs Can Cause Kidney Failure

Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium are intended to relieve pain, but these drugs can also be dangerous if not taken in the recommended dosages.  If these OTC medications are taken regularly over a long period of time, they can block chemicals that maintain blood flow to the kidneys, causing acute or chronic renal failure.  Dr. Eric Wittbrodt, assistant professor of clinical pharmacy at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, says OTC pain killers should be taken in moderation.  "People who are using OTC drugs multiple times a day for several years have a significantly increased risk of getting kidney disease," says Wittbrodt.  "Moderation is definitely the key.  If people have aches and pains, they are going to use medications, but if the pain is constant and they need to depend on these drugs for more than a month, then they need to seek medical attention."

According to Dr. Wittbrodt, kidney failure can cause a variety of symptoms, including decreased urine output, swelling of legs, shortness or breath, fatigue or nausea.  Acute kidney failure requires emergency dialysis to clean the blood.  But normal kidney function often returns after the emergency is over.  Analgesic nephropathy is a chronic kidney failure that can lead to renal disease and the permanent need for dialysis or a kidney transplant to restore renal function.  This condition occurs in about four out of 100,000 people, mostly women over 30 years old.  Dr. Wittbrodt says the incidence of kidney failure is slightly declining in hospital settings but the condition is rising slightly among people who self medicate.  "In hospitals, there is better monitoring so kidney failure is on the decline," he says.  "Doctors and nurses are aware that certain drugs can be toxic to the kidneys so they frequently check the blood concentration of drugs.  The problem lies in people who are taking these drugs on their own.  They don't realize the dangers until it results in a major problem."  

To arrange an interview with Dr. Wittbrodt, contact John M. Martino at (215) 895-1186.

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