Over-the-counter painkillers can cause kidney damage

Many of us take aspirin and ibuprofen to relieve pain, but they can come with some pretty serious side effects if not used as directed.

Advil, Aleve, and aspirin are all over-the-counter drugs considered safe to use, but they do come with some serious side effects if used long-term.

These NSAIDs can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. Even if you are not at risk for these conditions, they can increase your blood pressure and cause kidney damage, as they did for avid runner Barry Davis. His nine pills a day for three decades left him with only about 25% of his kidney function.

“I never had any prohibition. No one said don’t do that,” Davis said.

“These kinds of anti-inflammatories are meant to be taken on a short term to help with an acute pain or inflammation,” said Charles Srour, DC Chiropractor, Pro Health Care.

However, long-term use of NSAIDs can decrease blood flow and oxygen to the kidneys. They can also cause sodium and fluid retention. Srour said there are safer alternatives like turmeric, fish oil, and Infladox for treating persistent pain.

“In some cases, the effect that they get is even stronger than what they would get with pharmaceuticals,” Srour said.

That prevents the hidden damage caused by prolonged use of NSAIDs.

Experts warn that if you’re already taking diuretics or ace inhibitors, taking NSAIDs can put you at a greater risk for kidney damage.