A recent study from the University of Waterloo has found that people who take certain medications for high blood pressure should be careful when using ibuprofen, a pain reliever that many people buy over the counter without a prescription.
The study shows that combining ibuprofen with two common types of blood pressure medicine—diuretics and RAS inhibitors—can increase the risk of serious kidney problems in some people.
Diuretics, often called “water pills,” help the body get rid of extra water and salt. This lowers blood pressure and helps the heart work more easily. RAS inhibitors, on the other hand, help relax and widen blood vessels, which also lowers blood pressure. These two medicines are often prescribed together to help manage high blood pressure effectively.
Ibuprofen is a popular painkiller used for headaches, back pain, muscle aches, and many other kinds of pain. But it belongs to a group of drugs known as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), which can affect how the kidneys work.
The team of researchers, led by Professor Anita Layton, used computer simulations to study how these three drugs interact inside the body.
Their virtual trials showed that, for some people—especially those with certain health conditions—the combination of diuretics, RAS inhibitors, and ibuprofen can damage the kidneys. In some cases, this damage could be long-lasting or even permanent.
The reason for this risk has to do with how these drugs each affect the kidneys. Diuretics remove water from the body, which can lead to dehydration. RAS inhibitors change how blood flows through the kidneys. Ibuprofen can reduce the kidneys’ ability to handle stress.
Taken together, these three medications create a dangerous situation, which the researchers call a “triple whammy.” The kidneys become overstressed and may stop working properly, leading to a condition called acute kidney injury.
Not everyone who takes these medications will have kidney problems, but the study makes it clear that people need to be cautious. Many people with high blood pressure may not realize that taking a simple painkiller like ibuprofen could harm their kidneys when combined with their regular medicine.
Instead of ibuprofen, the researchers suggest using acetaminophen (often known by brand names like Tylenol) as a safer option for pain relief. Acetaminophen does not usually affect the kidneys in the same way and may be a better choice for people taking diuretics or RAS inhibitors.
This study is a helpful reminder that even everyday medicines can cause problems when mixed with other drugs. Patients should always check with their doctor or pharmacist before taking new medications, even if they are over-the-counter.
Managing high blood pressure is important for long-term health, but it’s also important to make sure the treatment doesn’t create new health risks. Being informed about how different drugs interact can help prevent serious problems and keep people healthier in the long run.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about how to protect your kidneys from diabetes, and drinking coffee could help reduce risk of kidney injury.
For more information about kidney health, please see recent studies about foods that may prevent recurrence of kidney stones, and eating nuts linked to lower risk of chronic kidney disease and death.
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