Why Long-term Use Of Painkillers Can Quietly Damage Your Kidneys

Popping pills like candies has become a common practice. This holds true for painkillers as well. People often take painkillers on their own, without any expert advice. This practice is risky, in more ways than one. Regular consumption of painkillers can harm your health. Did you know that it can also damage your kidneys? Yes, you read that right.

To get a better understanding of this, we reached out to Dr Tushar Tayal, Associate Director, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital Gurgaon. Read ahead.

Can Long-term Use Of Painkillers Damage Kidneys?

Firstly, let us address whether long-term use of painkillers can actually damage your kidneys or not. “Yes. Long-term or frequent use of painkillers — especially common ones like NSAIDs (ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen) and some combination painkillers — can slowly damage the kidneys. The risk is higher in older adults, people with diabetes, high blood pressure, dehydration, or existing kidney disease. Often, the damage happens silently, without early symptoms, and is detected only when kidney function tests become abnormal,” explains Dr Tayal.

But how do painkillers harm your kidneys? “Many painkillers reduce the production of prostaglandins — chemicals that help maintain blood flow to the kidneys. With reduced blood flow, kidney filters get stressed and damaged over time. Chronic use can cause inflammation, scarring of kidney tissues, and reduced ability to remove waste from the blood, eventually leading to chronic kidney disease.”

What Are The Other Side Effects Of Painkillers?

Apart from kidney damage, what other side effects do painkillers have? Our expert explains. “Painkillers can cause stomach ulcers, acidity, gastrointestinal bleeding, liver injury, increased blood pressure, heart problems, fluid retention, and allergic reactions. Overuse may also lead to dependence, reduced pain tolerance, and worsening headaches in some people,” explains Dr Tayal.

Painkillers’ side effects aren’t restricted to the central nervous system or the body’s natural pain relief processes. Dependence or addiction to these medicines can impact the entire body. Some of the other ways it can harm health includes:

• Liver: This organ breaks down and processes the drugs you take. When pain pills are abused, your liver stores the toxins from these drugs; this can lead to dangerous and life-threatening liver damage.
• Heart: When painkillers are crushed or injected directly into the body, the drug enters directly into the bloodstream. This can affect the heart. Its long-term abuse can cause serious cardiovascular issues, heart attacks and heart disease.
• Stomach: Stomach and intestinal issues can be caused even after a day or two of taking painkillers. Painkiller abuse can cause constipation, bloating, abdominal distention, and hemorrhoids.
• Veins: Injecting painkillers can lead to collapsed veins and blood-borne infections and diseases.

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Tips To Protect Kidneys While Taking Painkillers

There are times in life when you are left with no other option but to take painkillers. “Use painkillers only when necessary and at the lowest effective dose. Avoid self-medication and long-term daily use without medical advice. Stay well hydrated, avoid mixing multiple painkillers, and limit alcohol. People with diabetes, hypertension, or kidney disease should consult a doctor before using any painkiller and get kidney function tests done regularly,” warns Dr Tayal.

Here are some other tips to protect your kidneys from painkillers:

• Take painkillers only when needed.
• Opt for lower effective doses of painkillers.
• Stay hydrated as these help ease the strain on kidneys.
• Do not mix multiple painkillers.
• Monitor your kidney function.
• Always speak to your doctor before taking a painkiller.

Last but not the least, if you are wondering whether kidneys can recover from medication damage or not, our expert answers this as well.

But before answering, let us tell you about a recent study. As per a latest study, researchers have identified a potential way to reverse kidney damage by blocking the activity of ceramides, a type of fat molecule linked to cellular injury inside the kidney.

“If detected early, mild kidney damage from painkillers may improve after stopping the drug and managing risk factors. However, long-standing or severe damage is often irreversible. This is why early awareness, cautious use of painkillers, and regular monitoring are crucial to protect long-term kidney health,” concludes Dr Tayal.

The Final Word

Long-term or frequent use of painkillers, especially common ones like NSAIDs (ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen) and some combination painkillers, can slowly damage the kidneys. The risk is higher in older adults, people with diabetes, high blood pressure, dehydration, or existing kidney disease. Often, the damage happens silently, without early symptoms, and is detected only when kidney function tests become abnormal.

Also Read: Kidney Stones More Common Than Ever Due to Modern Lifestyles; Expert Shares 3 Sure-Shot Hacks