Among the several causes of kidney damage, like diabetes, high blood pressure, medication, alcohol addiction, and smoking, medication has become a major contributor owing to increased usage of drugs in the country. It includes everything from prescribed antibiotics to anti-inflammatory medicines to substances like opioids, or marijuana. Certainly, overuse of any of these drugs causes damage to your kidneys and may lead to renal failures or diseases.
Experts at a leading deaddiction center have come up with a list of the top 10 drugs that cause kidney damage.
Addictive drugs
- Cocaine
- Cannabinoids
- Amphetamines
Non-addictive drugs
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
- Chemotherapy Drugs
- Antiviral Medications
- Laxatives
- ACE Inhibitors
- Diuretics
- Cocaine
Several studies prove that cocaine has a significant impact on kidneys leading to acute or chronic renal diseases which could be tubular, vascular, or interstitial. The biology behind such damage is due to interrupted blood flow and increased toxin levels in the body. Moreover, these kinds of addictive and stimulant drugs affect the central nervous system, thus causing severe damage to the kidneys.
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- Cannabinoids
So far there have been no scientific studies that prove natural cannabis affects the kidneys. However, it is found that synthetic cannabinoids are found to affect the body's signaling system and the kidney’s prime function (filtration). This results from muscle dysfunction and the release of harmful toxins in the bloodstream.
- Amphetamines
Amphetamines or methamphetamines are psychoactive drugs that people take to increase their energy levels. Higher dosage of these addictive drugs leads to intense liver and kidney damage. These drugs specifically induce oxidative stress resulting in tubular damage and ultimately kidney failure.
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Among the over-the-counter or non-addictive medications, NSAIDs stand first in causing kidney problems. Overuse of these drugs may first lead to acute injury, then end up in nephritis and chronic kidney disease. In common terms, these drugs are called pain relievers and the most widely prescribed NSAIDs are ibuprofen and naproxen.
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
These inhibitors are nothing but acid reflux relievers that can cause hypomagnesemia, acute kidney injuries, and acute interstitial nephritis. When used in higher doses over a long period, these conditions may lead to organ failure.
- Chemotherapy Drugs
Chemitherapy or cancer treatments involve use of certain medications like cisplatin which contains nephrotoxins. These toxins affects the kidney structure and may develop cysts and causes inflammation. However, this does not mean all chemo drugs contains these toxins and will affect your kidneys. There are other effective ways to protect kidney during such treatments.
- Antiviral Medications
Higher doses of certain antiviral drugs like tenofir and cidofovir causes damages to the epithilial cells of the kidney and may increase crystal deposition. Additionally, some antiviral drugs are found to affect the regualr function of renal transporters which might have the same effect resulting in renal failure.
- Laxatives
Apart from the usual damages caused to the kidneys so far, this one is quite different. Laxatives are drugs prescribed to treat constipation. When used in higher doses or regularly, this may lead to electrolyte imbalances making the body dehydrated often. This has a serious effect on kidney’s function. Having said this, not all laxatives are harmful. Only a few, when over-used, leads to such serious ill effects.
- ACE Inhibitors
In general, doctors prescribe these drugs to diabetic and hypertensed patients to promote the kidney function and relaxation of blood vessels. When prescribed to individuals who already posses kidney dysfunctions, this might become fuel to the fire, causing more damage to the renal structures and functions.
- Diuretics
As the name implies, these medicines are used to help the body to get rid of excess fluids. When excessively consumed, may lead to severe dehydration, blood vessel damage, reduced blood flow, and hence kidney damage.
How to prevent drug-induced kidney damage?
Addictive or stimulative drugs that people use without the knowledge of the physician or psychiatrist can be avoided only with the help of a drug deaddiction center. The doctors at these centers help with deaddiction treatment plans, recovery, and permanent relapse from using these drugs.
On the other hand, non-addictive or over-the-counter drugs can be avoided when you start strictly adhering to the doctor’s instructions or directions.
