Kidney patients should not take any medicine without their doctor’s advice

New Delhi, Tuesday, February 16, 2010: People with failing kidneys often use "natural", ayurvedic, homeopathic products; over–the–counter medications and/or allopathic pain killers that could worsen their kidney function said Dr. K K Aggarwal, President, Heart Care Foundation of India and Editor eMedinewS.

A study published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases of 87 patients with chronic kidney insufficiency found 65 instances of drug–related problems. The results suggest that routine documentation and monitoring of over–the–counter medications and natural products by community pharmacists is warranted.

Over–the–counter drugs, herbal medicines and other natural products can be particularly risky in patients with poorly functioning kidneys, known medically as "chronic renal insufficiency". These medications may directly cause kidney damage or may interact harmfully with other drugs the patient is taking.

The researchers interviewed 46 patients with moderate renal insufficiency and 41 with severe renal insufficiency. Overall, the patients were taking 66 different over–the–counter drugs and 25 different natural products, usually for pain relief or to treat coughs and colds. Forty–nine percent of the over–the–counter drugs had been recommended by a doctor or pharmacist, as had 19 percent of the natural products.

Eight patients reported using at least one over–the–counter drug that should not have been used, while 27 were using an over–the–counter drug that should have been used with caution. Three patients were using herbal medicines that should not have been used, while seven were using herbal medicines that should have been used with caution.13 percent of the potentially dangerous over–the–counter drugs were recommended by a doctor or pharmacist, as were 6 percent of the potentially dangerous natural products.

The researchers identified 65 drug–related problems. Forty–two involved at least one product, most commonly calcium or magnesium; 23 involved one or more natural products, including glucosamine, which can affect blood sugar measurements; garlic supplements, which can interact with blood–thinning drugs; and echinacea, which can directly affect kidney function.