If you take medicine for high blood pressure, you may want to think twice before reaching for ibuprofen when you have a headache or muscle pain. A new study from the University of Waterloo has found that combining ibuprofen with certain blood pressure medications could raise the risk of serious kidney problems.
Many people who have high blood pressure are prescribed a combination of two common types of medicine: diuretics and renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors. Diuretics help the body get rid of extra fluid, which lowers blood pressure.
RAS inhibitors work by relaxing the blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. These two types of drugs are often used together to manage hypertension, and they come under many different brand names.
Ibuprofen, on the other hand, is a popular pain reliever that you can buy without a prescription. It’s often used to treat pain from headaches, backaches, arthritis, and other everyday aches. While ibuprofen is effective, this study shows that mixing it with diuretics and RAS inhibitors could be risky for your kidneys.
The researchers used computer models to study how these three drugs interact in the body. They found that, in some people, this combination can lead to acute kidney injury. That means the kidneys suddenly stop working as they should. In serious cases, this damage might not go away.
Why does this happen? It’s because each of the three drugs affects the kidneys in different ways. Diuretics remove water from the body, which can lead to dehydration. RAS inhibitors change how blood flows through the kidneys.
Then, ibuprofen can reduce blood flow to the kidneys even more. When all three are taken together, the kidneys may be under too much stress—this is sometimes called the “triple whammy” effect.
It’s important to know that not everyone who takes this combination of medicines will develop kidney problems. However, the risk is real, especially for people who already have certain medical conditions or who may be more sensitive to changes in blood flow and hydration levels.
Because of this, the researchers recommend caution. If you are taking diuretics and RAS inhibitors, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking ibuprofen. There may be safer alternatives.
For example, acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) is another over-the-counter pain reliever that does not have the same impact on kidney function when used with blood pressure medications.
Dr. Anita Layton, the lead researcher of the study, said that people often don’t realize how over-the-counter drugs can interact with prescription medications. This research highlights how important it is to be aware of these interactions, even with drugs you can buy without a prescription.
In summary, if you are managing high blood pressure with diuretics and RAS inhibitors, it’s wise to be cautious with ibuprofen. Always check with your healthcare provider before adding any new medication, even a common pain reliever. Protecting your kidneys now can help prevent serious problems in the future and keep your treatment plan safe and effective.
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 added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
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