Aspirin and paracetamol

[kidneydoc]

Aspirin and paracetamol get put in the spotlight as contributing causes of chronic kidney disease.

This information is applicable in dialysis patients who ned to preserver their residual renal function.

[billybags]

Hi kidneydoc can you explain this please? My husband has to take a small aspirin every day , thats for his heart but he also takes paracetamol when his legs ache. Are you saying we should not be taking these?

[Darthvadar]

Hi Kidneydoc...

I don't think I said hello and welcome!... So Hello, and welcome!!!!.... ...

Would appreciate it if you could explain the Paracetemol situation... My mum takes it... Pain from Osteoarthritis and fractures due to Osteoporosis... She's on CAPD....

Thank you....

God bless...

Darth...

[kidneydoc]

Okay what the post is basically saying is that based on a recent article in the journals the use of combinations of aspirin and panadol with one other drug is associated with progressive kidney damage due to an entity called analgesic nephropathy.

What this means is that the chronic daily uses of medications for pain is associated with kidney damage.

You should therefore avoid situations where even panadol has to be given daily for long periods particularly if you have kidney disease.

In terms of patients who are already on dialysis.
The residual renal function of a patient is very important to their well being on dialysis. Preservation of the residual renal function is always foremost in the minds of nephrologists. They therefore avoiding prescribing aspirin containing drugs. The problem is that this article and others suggest that panadol is better than aspirin in terms of not causing kidney damage. But that long term use of panadol is associated with progressive kidney damage just at a slower pace than aspirin.

Which leaves with few choices for long term pain management that are safe for the kidney.

Aspirin once a day for the heart has never been shown to be a problem.

[Darthvadar]

Ah Ha!!...

Thank you, Roger.... Much appreciated!... Mum's function has improved since coming off haemo and going onto CAPD.... She uses another couple of much stronger pain meds (Spinal Fractures!), but her Neph. is happy enough with her taking them.... I suppose at Mum's age (72) quality of life is FAR more important than quantity...

Thanks again... You're a gem!.... You know, it's great to have you here.... So reassuring to know that there's someone to get advice from when needed... I am alone in caring for Mum, and I highly value every little bit of support I can get....

God bless....

Darth....

[Yvonne]

If both these tablets are not good for kidney patients, then why are they both on John's repeat prescription along with other medication to take daily, what else can he take for pain relief ?   Is there an article we could print off to prove this to show his renal clinic?

[kidneydoc]

There is a link in the article at allkidney news that i referenced to the abstract of the paper that the news report is based on.

It can be printed.

Have to run to see patients now but i will see if i can send it as an atttachment to your email address.