These commonly used drugs are actually "kidney killers"! Are you still taking drugs randomly?

In daily life, we will inevitably encounter headaches, fever, and physical discomfort. At this time, taking medicine becomes the first choice for many people to relieve symptoms. However, have you ever thought that some seemingly ordinary commonly used medicines may hide huge health risks, especially to our kidneys. As an important excretory and metabolic organ of the human body, the kidney bears the important task of clearing drugs and metabolites from the body. Once the medication is improperly used, some drugs may suddenly become "kidney killers" and quietly damage our kidney health.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are one of the commonly used drugs in daily life, and they play an important role in the treatment of various bacterial infectious diseases. However, some antibiotics are potentially toxic to the kidneys. For example, aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as gentamicin and streptomycin, are mainly excreted through the kidneys. This type of drug has a high concentration in renal tissue and is easily accumulated in renal tubular epithelial cells, leading to tubular damage. Long-term or high-dose use may cause acute tubular necrosis, a sharp decline in renal function, and symptoms such as oliguria, anuria, and increased blood creatinine. In addition, first-generation cephalosporins, such as cephalothin and cefazolin, also have certain nephrotoxicity. They may affect the normal metabolic process of the kidneys, cause renal interstitial inflammation and tubular damage, and then affect the excretion function of the kidneys.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and reduce fever. Drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen are all well-known to everyone. Although they are effective in relieving symptoms, the harm to the kidneys cannot be underestimated if used improperly. This type of drug mainly works by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins in the body, which are essential for maintaining normal blood perfusion and glomerular filtration function of the kidneys. When prostaglandin synthesis in the body is inhibited, renal blood vessels will contract, resulting in reduced renal blood flow and reduced glomerular filtration rate. Long-term and large-scale use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may cause diseases such as acute renal failure and interstitial nephritis. The risk is especially higher for the elderly, dehydrated patients, people with chronic kidney disease, or those taking other nephrotoxic drugs at the same time.

Proton pump inhibitors

Proton pump inhibitors are commonly used to treat gastric acid-related diseases, such as gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, reflux esophagitis, etc. Common ones include omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, etc. Although this type of drug has good overall safety, studies in recent years have found that long-term use of proton pump inhibitors is associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease. The specific mechanism may be related to the drug's effect on the metabolism of magnesium ions in the body, and hypomagnesemia will further affect the normal function of the kidneys. In addition, long-term use of proton pump inhibitors may also disrupt the normal balance of gastrointestinal flora, induce intestinal infections, and indirectly increase the burden on the kidneys.

Traditional Chinese medicine containing aristolochic acid

Some traditional Chinese medicines contain aristolochic acid, such as Aristolochic acid Root, Aristolochic acid Stephania tetrandra, and Aristolochic acid Root. Aristolochic acid has strong nephrotoxicity. It can directly damage renal tubular epithelial cells, leading to cell necrosis and apoptosis. At the same time, aristolochic acid can also induce renal interstitial fibrosis, destroying the normal structure of the kidney and gradually losing its function. This damage is often irreversible and may eventually develop into renal failure. Moreover, the kidney damage caused by aristolochic acid is hidden, and there may be no obvious symptoms in the early stage, which is easy to be ignored. Once discovered, the condition is often more serious.

In the face of these potential "kidney killers", we must be vigilant and avoid taking medicine indiscriminately. Before using any medicine, be sure to read the drug instructions carefully to understand the drug's indications, contraindications, adverse reactions and other information. If you have any questions, you should consult a doctor or pharmacist in time. Especially for people with chronic diseases and liver and kidney dysfunction, they should be more cautious in using medicines and strictly follow the doctor's instructions to control the dosage and use time of the medicine.

Many commonly used drugs may cause damage to the kidneys while bringing us therapeutic effects. We cannot take drugs lightly and use them at will just because they are common. Only by enhancing awareness of safe drug use and using drugs scientifically and rationally can we protect our kidney health while treating diseases and avoid serious consequences caused by improper use of drugs.