Naproxen and kidney insufficiency

[jacartist]

I have kidney insufficiency (51%), aged 70. I also have rheumatoid arthritis in my feet and is very painful. Before I ask my doctor, is it advisable for me to take Naproxen and PPI's?

[Hidden]

I’m on PPIs and have been prescribed Naproxen before, so presumably it’s a safe combination. You could always phone a pharmacist? They’re the best for drug queries. Did you know you can use drugs.com to check interactions - just type in a list of the drugs you take and it’ll tell you all the interactions

[Hidden]

With the caveat that I’m not remotely medically qualified and no one here can give you medical advice….

Are you asking if PPIs and naproxen together are considered a safe combination? Or are you asking whether we think it would be ok for you to start taking naproxen and a PPI because you’re in pain, without first speaking to your doctor?

If it’s the first question, then yes, the BNF states that this is a generally safe combination of drugs for many people, and at any one time you’ll usually find a whole bunch of us taking them together over on the national rheumatoid arthritis society (NRAS) board on healthunlocked.

If it’s the second question, then the answer has to be a strong NO, absolutely not. Whilst they may well still be safe for you to take, NSAIDs like naproxen can directly cause kidney injury, so unless you’ve had recent advice from an appropriately qualified medical professional saying that it’s ok to take them, in light of your medical history I would strongly advise you check with either your GP or rheum team in the morning before doing anything. Nobody here is qualified to give you medical advice, and naproxen is a prescription painkiller that needs to be taken regularly for a few days to see any benefit: although I currently have a box in the cupboard, even without any kidney problems, unless there was an agreed, standing instruction in place about when it would be appropriate for me to independently start taking them, I would still always seek advice from a medic. It may also be that you’re flaring and there’s a different course of action that needs to be taken, such as oral steroids.

[madonbrew]

I think you’re asking in regards to kidney function? I have ckd, eGFR has been about 33-38% for years until a recent increase to 49. I’d ask your doctors advice…I know generally In people with ckd these meds aren’t recommended on a long term basis as they can harm the kidneys more but I would definitely ask your doctor their opinion as they’ll be able to give you the best advice medically. We’re not medically trained here.

I hope that helps a bit.

[jacartist in reply to madonbrew]

Thanks for that answer. I was prescribed Naproxen and PPI's around 12 years ago but for only 3 months. I am feeling the effects of RA much more now I've hit 70 and thought I'd clarify the situation before approaching my GP. I was also told by a surgeon who removed my gallbladder to never take anything other than paracetamol. Perhaps I should just take his advice and brave it out.

[madonbrew in reply to jacartist]

You’re welcome. It’s worth asking your dr though because there might be an option or two?! …I’m not sure what but your dr would be able to advise you. It’s horrible when you’re in pain and don’t know what to take for the best.

My nephrologist was ok with me taking ibrufen for headaches but then I recently ended up in a&e with Costohondritis and the doctors didn’t want to give me anything because of my kidney’s and asthma. I think it’s when you need something regularly long term that it’s more problematic.

I hope you find something to help soon!

Dee 🙂

[Hidden in reply to jacartist]

I’d also suggest you speak to rheum, it may be that your arthritis meds can be tweaked (I have inflammatory arthritis, which is why I have naproxen in the cupboard). If you’re getting persistently increased pain, it sounds like your RA isn’t under as good control as it could be.

[madonbrew]

Actually it might be worth posting this on the kidney forum too because they might well know more options in that regard.

[glds100]

I took Naproxen and it did cause my kidneys to suffer, I was changed to Meloxicam, and it really helps.