Because you have chronic kidney disease, you should take steps to protect your kidneys. Make changes to what you eat, manage your blood pressure, and manage your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
You also need to be careful about all of the medicines you take. Read this brochure to learn more, and talk with your pharmacist if you have questions.
Healthy kidneys filter wastes and extra water from your blood to make urine. The kidneys also help remove some medicines from your blood.
Why your pharmacist and provider need to know about your medicine and supplement use
Your kidneys do not filter as well as they did in the past. This can cause an unsafe buildup of medicines in your blood. Some medicines also can harm your kidneys.
Your pharmacist and healthcare provider need to know what medicines you take so they can give you advice on how to protect your kidneys. These medicines include:
You may be told to:
If you take OTC medicines for headaches, pain, fever, or colds, you may be taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs are OTC medicines that can be harmful to your kidneys. Common NSAIDs include ibuprofen and naproxen.
Ask your pharmacist or provider if the OTC medicines you take are safe to use. You also can look for NSAIDs on Drug Facts labels like the one below.
Active Ingredients (in each caplet) Purposes Ibuprofen 200mg (NSAID)* Pain reliever/Fever reducer Pseudoephedrine HCI 30mg Nasal decongestant
*nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
- sinus pressure
- nasal congestion
- minor body aches and pains
Remember that you can always talk with your pharmacist or provider about your medicines.
Page last updated: March 1, 2012