Many people take medicine every day to control high blood pressure. Others use ibuprofen when they have a headache, sore muscles, back pain, or other common aches.
Because both medicines are widely used, many people may not think twice about taking them together. However, new research suggests that this combination may not always be safe, especially for older adults and people with high blood pressure.
The study was carried out by researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada. It was published in the journal Mathematical Biosciences. The researchers wanted to better understand how some common medicines interact inside the body and whether these combinations could accidentally harm the kidneys.
High blood pressure is a major health problem around the world. If it is not well controlled, it can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease. To lower blood pressure, many people take more than one medicine because different drugs work in different ways.
Two common types of blood pressure medicines are diuretics and renin-angiotensin system, or RAS, inhibitors. Diuretics help the body remove extra salt and water through urine, which lowers blood pressure. RAS inhibitors relax and widen blood vessels so blood can flow more easily, reducing the strain on the heart.
Ibuprofen is a popular pain-relieving medicine that can be bought without a prescription in many countries. It belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. While it is effective for reducing pain, swelling, and fever, it can also reduce blood flow to the kidneys in some people.
The researchers used advanced computer models to study what happens when all three medicines are taken together. Their results showed that combining a diuretic, a RAS inhibitor, and ibuprofen can greatly reduce blood flow to the kidneys. This may lead to acute kidney injury, a condition in which the kidneys suddenly stop working properly.
In some people, acute kidney injury improves after treatment. In more serious cases, however, the damage may last for a long time or even become permanent. The risk is not the same for everyone, but the study found that the combination of these three medicines deserves careful attention.
Doctors sometimes call this medicine combination the ‘triple whammy’ because each drug affects the kidneys in a different way. When they are taken together, their combined effects can make it much harder for the kidneys to do their job. People may not notice any warning signs until kidney function has already fallen.
The researchers recommend that anyone taking blood pressure medicines should speak with a doctor or pharmacist before using ibuprofen.
For many people, acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, may be a safer option for treating mild pain because it does not affect the kidneys in the same way. However, the best choice depends on each person’s medical history and other medicines.
The study was led by Professor Anita Layton and her colleagues. Their findings remind us that even common medicines can become risky when mixed together. Before taking a new painkiller, especially if you already use blood pressure medicine, it is always wise to ask a healthcare professional for advice to help protect both your kidneys and your overall health.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more health information, please see recent studies about How to eat your way to healthy blood pressure and results showing that Modified traditional Chinese cuisine can lower blood pressure.
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