Nephrology specialists always advise patients to consult about any treatment they are about to start, as they are aware of the many problems associated with self-medication without proper supervision by a healthcare professional. One of the pharmacological groups with which most people self-medicate are the famous non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or, as they are commonly known by their acronym, NSAIDs.
What are anti-inflammatory drugs?
NSAIDs are used for the treatment of mild to moderate pain in multiple locations of the body, for example headache, joint pain, muscle contractions, pain associated with menstruation, renal colic, etc. They are also used in the symptomatic treatment of pain and inflammation in rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, spondylitis, osteoarthritis…). They are also able to reduce fever. In other words, they are very versatile drugs with a large number of indications, which means that their use is widespread among the population. It is estimated that 20% of people over 65 years of age take them and that they are prescribed to 20% of patients admitted to hospitals.
Contributing to this widespread use of NSAIDs is the fact that they are drugs that are usually sold to us at the pharmacy without the need for a prescription, which opens the door to any of us being able to buy them easily. This has caused us, in part, to lose respect for these drugs and to disregard the side effects they have.
Side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs
Perhaps the best known side effect is damage to the stomach and intestine causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gastric or duodenal ulcers and digestive bleeding. Other harmful effects are: increased blood pressure, headaches (at high doses), increased cardiovascular events (heart attacks, strokes), kidney damage, liver damage, ringing in the ears and skin rashes. As we can see, some of the side effects are not very important but others can be dangerous, so we should take them into account before taking anti-inflammatory drugs.
Another thing that is often done wrong when taking an NSAID is the dose taken. Often, the intake is higher than it should be, so it is essential to always consult a specialist.
It should be taken into account that the main effect of NSAIDs is not to remove pain (analgesic) but to reduce inflammation (as its name indicates); therefore, it is important that, when any symptom appears, such as headache, fever or if you have suffered a trauma, you visit your doctor before taking an NSAID freely because there are other drugs that are much more effective to remove this type of pain or reduce fever and that do not have these side effects.
One of the side effects of NSAIDs is the damage to the kidneys. When taken for prolonged periods of time, they can lead to kidney failure, unfortunately, irreversible and, in those who already have kidney failure, they can worsen it.
Therefore, NSAIDs, although they are safe, well tolerated and very effective drugs, have their indications and side effects and must always be prescribed by a physician.