If you take medicine for high blood pressure, be careful when using ibuprofen, a common painkiller found in many stores.
A new study by researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada has found that mixing certain blood pressure drugs with ibuprofen can damage your kidneys.
Many people with high blood pressure are given two kinds of medications: diuretics and renin-angiotensin system (RSA) inhibitors. Diuretics help your body get rid of extra water and salt through urine.
RSA inhibitors help relax your blood vessels so your blood can flow more easily. These drugs are often used together and are known by many different brand names.
Ibuprofen is a non-prescription painkiller found in many households. It is used to relieve pain from headaches, muscle aches, or minor injuries. However, the researchers found that if a person is taking both a diuretic and an RSA inhibitor, adding ibuprofen could increase the risk of serious kidney problems.
The research team used computer models to see how the three drugs work together in the body. Their simulation showed that the combination can reduce blood flow to the kidneys and increase the chance of acute kidney injury. This means the kidneys stop working properly for a short time. In some cases, this damage may be permanent.
Not everyone who takes these medications will have this problem, but the study shows there is a real risk. People with high blood pressure may not realize that using ibuprofen while on these drugs could be dangerous. The combination is known as a “triple whammy” for the kidneys.
The researchers suggest that people taking medication for high blood pressure should talk to their doctor or pharmacist before taking ibuprofen. A safer choice for pain relief might be acetaminophen, which does not affect the kidneys in the same way.
This important study was led by Professor Anita Layton and her team. Their goal is to help patients and doctors understand how different drugs can affect the body, especially when used together.
So, if you are on blood pressure medicine and need something for pain, make sure to check with a healthcare professional first. Taking care of your kidneys is just as important as controlling your blood pressure.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that could increase high blood pressure risk, and eating eggs in a healthy diet may reduce risks of diabetes, high blood pressure.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and results showing 12 foods that lower blood pressure.
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