You may be told to:
- Take some medicines in smaller amounts or less often
- Stop taking a medicine or switch to a different one
Do you take over-the-counter (OTC) medicines?
If you take OTC medicines for headaches, pain, fever, or colds, you may be taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs are OTC medicines that can be harmful to your kidneys. Common NSAIDs include ibuprofen and naproxen. Ask your pharmacist or provider if the OTC medicines you take are safe to use.
What Can You Do?
The next time you pick up a prescription or buy an over-the-counter medicine or supplement, ask your pharmacist how the product may:
- Affect your kidneys.
- Interact with your other medicines.
Get your prescriptions filled at one pharmacy or pharmacy chain, so your pharmacist can:
- Keep track of your medicines.
- Check for harmful interactions.
Keep track of your medicines and supplements. Here are some ideas:
- Put all of them in a bag and take them with you to the pharmacy and your doctor's appointments.
- List them on a sheet of paper. Keep your list up to date and in your wallet. Take your list with you to all health care visits.
Remember that you can always talk with your pharmacist or health care provider about your medicines. To read more about medicines and kidney disease – and to order a free brochure on this topic, please visit Chronic Kidney Disease and Medicines (Brochure). Interested in learning more about working with your health care providers? Visit our website for additional information.
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