Pain relievers and risk of kidney failure

The risk of developing kidney failure is increased among patients who use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or aspirin. The risk is heightened in patients with high blood pressure or heart failure. Researchers from the Centro Espanol de Investigacion Farmacoepidemiologica, Madrid, assessed the risk for nonfatal kidney failure associated with NSAID use. The analysis included 103 patients with kidney failure and 5,000 subjects without kidney problems. NSAID use tripled the risk of kidney failure compared with non-use. Still, the risk of kidney failure in NSAID users was very small and returned to normal when the drug was stopped. The researchers found that a history of heart failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, and hospitalisations in the previous year were associated with a greater risk for kidney failure. The associated risk was increased further when diuretics (water pills) and heart drugs called calcium channel blockers were used.