People with pre-existing kidney disease—and those with conditions that stress the kidneys, such as diabetes—may increase their risk of kidney failure through frequent use of common pain-relief medications. Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine (December 20, 2001; 345:1801–1808) found that regular use of aspirin or acetaminophen significantly increased the likelihood of developing chronic kidney failure.
For this study, “regular use” was defined as at least twice per week for two months. Among individuals who already had compromised kidney function, those who regularly used pain medications were two to three times more likely to show early signs of chronic kidney failure compared with those who did not.
Key findings include:
-
People who regularly used acetaminophen or aspirin were 2.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with chronic renal failure.
-
The risk increased with higher lifetime consumption of either drug.
-
Individuals with diabetes, a major risk factor for kidney disease, had an even greater likelihood of medication-related kidney decline.
These results align with other studies showing that frequent use of painkillers can accelerate kidney damage in susceptible populations.
The concern over long-term painkiller use has even reached professional sports. A New York Times article (January 29, 2002) highlighted worries among NBA players after Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning developed a kidney disorder and San Antonio Spurs player Sean Elliott required a kidney transplant. Some athletes reportedly took three to four times the recommended dose of anti-inflammatory medications for years. As one physician noted, taking excessive amounts of these drugs “over long periods of time… can affect kidney function.”
