10 Common Drugs That Can Harm Your Kidneys: Don’t Overlook These Risks

If you frequently take medications like antibiotics, pain relievers, or other common drugs, your kidneys could be at risk. 

Below are some of the most harmful medications that can damage your kidneys:

1. Antibiotics: Medications like sulfonamides, methicillin, vancomycin, and ciprofloxacin can harm the kidneys with prolonged use.

2. Analgesics: Acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen are widely used pain relievers that can contribute to kidney damage when taken frequently.

3. Antiviral Medications: Acyclovir, used for herpes treatment, and HIV medications like indinavir and tenofovir can also negatively affect kidney health.

4. Anticonvulsants: Seizure medications like phenytoin (Dilantin) and trimethadione may increase the risk of kidney damage.

5. COX-2 Inhibitors: While COX-2 inhibitors (such as Valdecoxib, Rofecoxib, and Celecoxib) are considered gentler on the stomach, they carry the same kidney risks as NSAIDs. Rofecoxib and Valdecoxib were also withdrawn due to cardiovascular side effects.

6. Chemotherapy Medications: Drugs used in cancer treatment, including quinine, cisplatin, carboplatin, pamidronate, and bevacizumab, are known to be harmful to the kidneys. Other medications like interferons, tacrolimus, cyclosporine, and thyroid treatments like propylthiouracil also pose risks.

7. Hypertension Medications: Captopril, commonly used to manage high blood pressure, can contribute to kidney problems if used long-term.

8. Heartburn Medications: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as pantoprazole, omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, and rabeprazole, which treat acid reflux and heartburn, have been linked to kidney damage.

9. Mood Stabilizers: Lithium, often prescribed for bipolar disorder, can cause kidney issues with extended use.

10. Arthritis and Malaria Medications: Drugs like infliximab (used to treat arthritis), hydroxychloroquine, and chloroquine (used for malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus) can damage the kidneys over time.

If you take any of these medications regularly, it’s important to consult your doctor to monitor your kidney health.