Kidney Care UK - the UK’s leading kidney patient support charity - and the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) – who represent independent community pharmacies - have joined forces to warn patients not to over-rely on medications such as ibuprofen due to their impact on kidney function.
The warnings come as a new survey1 by Kidney Care UK found that almost three quarters of people living with Kidney Disease were unaware that NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ) like ibuprofen could negatively impact on kidney function if used long term or in high doses.
NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac and these medicines can increase blood pressure as well as causing damage to the blood vessels inside the kidneys. Around one in four people (24%) who completed Kidney Care UK’s checker reported that they regularly use over the counter medication for pain relief2.
Kidney Care UK and the NPA are urging people to not over-rely3 on these to manage pain or inflammation, particularly for those who might be at increased risk of kidney disease.
In the UK there are around one million people who have kidney disease but are not aware of it. In addition, those who are at increased risk of developing kidney disease are:
• People who have high blood pressure
• People with diabetes
• People with a family history of kidney disease
• People from black and south Asian communities.
Data from the charity’s latest report4 shows that many people are not being told about their kidney disease in a timely manner and in a way that allows them to understand what that means or any changes to lifestyle or medications.
1 in 10 people (11%) found out they had CKD by seeing it recorded in the NHS App; 40% did not have the opportunity to discuss their diagnosis with a healthcare professional; and for those who were not made aware of their diagnosis when it was first recorded, the most common answer was a wait of one year between the diagnosis being confirmed by a healthcare professional and them being made aware that they have kidney disease. This highlights the importance of awareness of kidney health and why it’s important that people with kidney disease are told about their diagnosis as soon as possible and are given advice on how to look after their kidneys and maintain their kidney health, and which medicines to avoid.
Fiona Loud, Policy Director at Kidney Care UK, said: “Kidney disease can happen to anyone at any time, and can have a devastating impact on your life, relationships, finances as well as your physical and mental health. You can lose up to 90% of your kidney function without realising so it’s important to be aware of the signs to look out for, to know if you might be at increased risk, and what to do if you are concerned. It only takes a few minutes to complete our online Kidney Health Checker to see if you might be at increased risk. If you have any concerns, you can raise these with your GP or have a chat with your local pharmacist.”
Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association said: “Medicines have the power to harm as well as to heal. Although NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, are effective and safe medicines, patients should be aware of their impact, particularly if a patient is at increased risk of developing kidney disease and consider alternative medication where appropriate. If a patient has concerns about their usage of NSAIDs, they should speak to their pharmacist who can advise them.
“Pharmacists are experts in medicines and are best placed to offer advice to people who may be concerned about any potential long-term effect of some medicines and can help patients effectively manage pain.”
Kidney patient, Chris Watkinson, 42, from Lancashire said: “I never knew that NSAIDs could be damaging my kidney function until after I had my kidney transplant. I know now to avoid them, but I have no idea what impact taking them in the past had on my kidneys. I think it’s really important that people know that whilst medicines like ibuprofen can help, they can also be harmful for some people – and what they should take instead.”
Kidney Care UK and the National Pharmacy Association are working together in pharmacies across the UK this March to raise awareness of chronic kidney disease. Customers will be encouraged to check their risk of developing the condition by speaking to their pharmacists, and via information leaflets and posters encouraging them to complete the Kidney Care UK online Kidney Health Checker www.kidneycareuk.org/kidney-health-checker
