Pain medicines and kidney safety: a short visual guide
Patient education · 30-second visual guide
A 30-second visual guide to checking pain medicines with a doctor or pharmacist, including NSAIDs and kidney safety.
Silent video with on-screen text. Pause whenever you need more time to read.
Ask about pain relief and kidney safety
If you have kidney disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding over-the-counter pain medicines. NSAIDs, including ibuprofen and naproxen, can harm kidneys, particularly during dehydration or prolonged use. Combination cold remedies may contain an NSAID. Bring the packaging and your medicine list. Ask for a personal plan for illness rather than stopping or restarting prescribed medicines on your own.
Do not stop prescribed medicines on your own. Ask for individualized advice, including what to do and when to restart any medicine during illness.
General patient education; individual advice matters.
Further reading: NIDDK: Keeping kidneys safe.