Analgesic Nephropathy
Alternate Names : Analgesic-Induced Nephropathy
Analgesic nephropathy refers to kidney damage caused by regular, long-term use
of pain
medicines. Short-term, occasional use of these medicines does not
seem to cause kidney damage.
What is going on in the body?
Pain medicines may cause kidney damage when a person
takes more than 6 to 8 pills every day for several years. This kind of
long-term use of pain relievers can occur in people with chronic headaches,
back
pain, or other chronic
pain syndromes.
These medicines cause kidney damage in two different ways. The first way is
called chronic interstitial nephritis. In this disorder,
inflammatory cells cause scarring and result in damaged, shrunken kidneys. The
second way is called papillary necrosis. In this case, the inner kidney dies
and sloughs off, leaving a damaged kidney. The damage due to these pain
medicines occurs slowly, over many years. It is usually not
diagnosed until severe damage has occurred.
What are the causes and risks of the disease?
Analgesic nephropathy is caused by long-term, regular use of
pain
medicines. These medicines include acetaminophen, aspirin, and
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. Ibuprofen and naproxen are
examples of NSAIDs. Those with chronic pain are more likely to use these
medicines in a way that causes kidney damage. Medicines that combine two or
more analgesics together with caffeine or codeine are most likely to cause
damage. These medicines are often sold as powders containing acetaminophen and
aspirin with caffeine.
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