harmful meds

[mickeyba1]

Anybody have experience taking prescription meds for whatever reason, only later to discover that they are destroying your kidneys. For me hydrochlorothiazide, hctz and lopid gemfibrozol anti elevated triglycerides seem to be two drugs with potential for damaging kidneys.??

[userotc]

Sorry Ive not had the specific experience you seek, but Ive certainly suffered from prescription drug side effects - its on my profile on here. Most/all drugs have side effects as Im sure you know so taking any risks suffering them and medics offer very little help.

[NilsB]

Sadly, yes. I fear it is quite common that people fail to realize that their kidneys are being damaged by medicines until quite a bit of damage has been done. For me, I cannot be quite sure what has caused the damage but I have been told by at least one doctor to take NSAIDs beyond the recommended dosage and duration in the past. Several other posters here have also told of how they have discontinued medications after kidney damage was detected. However, it is possible that one simply does not think kidney damage will occurr and a doctor mentioning that amongst other things might pass us by unnoticed.

[drmind in reply to NilsB]

My first nephrologist took me off BP meds that I took for 30+ years and put me on high doses of Hydrazaline. My GFR went from 40 to 33 and never went back after I stopped taking it. I had to go to the ER because it caused urine retention and a bad infection. I know lots of people do well on Hydrazaline but I didnt especially at such high doses. Anyway, I got a new nephrologist and hes great.

PS. Even though I complained to the first nephrologist, he never contacted me and never apologized. I wonder if hes still prescribing to others. Its amazing. Even the ER doctor said it was wrong.

[NilsB]

If you're in the US, he can't admit error for fear of being sued. That is one of the problems of the US healthcare system. Doctors have incentives not to admit error, not to refer patients to other doctors, and to advocate procedures and medicines from which they may profit. I am not saying the doctors don't want to be good, but over time incentives affect decision-making and the quality of healthcare overall. Sad times.

[Lacycat1234 in reply to NilsB]

I don't understand people when they say doctors won't admit errors because they fear of being sued. Nobody seems to realize you can still report a doctor and and they can be investigated and censored and monitored. I know this because I had to report a doctor for inadequate care.

[NilsB in reply to Lacycat1234]

They can be reported, yes. They might even be declared guilty. However, I expect many mistakes go unchallenged and some patients just don't need the hassle. Also, some might never understand that doctors have made errors at all. If a doctor comes out and admits error, sadly, he may suffer negative consequences for that as opposed to being praised for coming clean and trying to rectify the mistake.

[LuvSmallDogs in reply to Lacycat1234]

But, when someone reports a doctor, unless their actions were so extreme that other doctors turn against them, then your chances of getting other doctors to work with you go WAY DOWN.

[DogandCat123]

Yes I have had that very experience recently.After being on Omeprazole ( prescribed) for years had a big drop In GFR. Came across research that proves Omeprazole can harm kidneys especially people who have CKD. Now I question everything I am prescribed!!

[miraclelady in reply to DogandCat123]

So, what do you take for the reflux now? I, too, take Omeprazole and just read the same things recently about it damaging the kidneys. I have tried coming off of it, but it doesn't work. I need something for reflux. Did you switch to something else?

[Sophiebun11 in reply to miraclelady]

My Neph switched me off Omeprozole and put me on Famotidine. He said it's easier on the kidneys. Sadly it only comes in a dark brown pill with food dyes I'm allergic to. I used to pour the Omeprozole into clear veggie gel caps to avoid the color. Ask your Dr. about Famotidine.

[miraclelady in reply to Sophiebun11]

My Oncologist told me to try Pepcid (Famotidine), but warned me that it may not work. He said it wasn't as effective as Omeprazole. I need to give it a try!

[PopcornLover1971 in reply to DogandCat123]

Would love to know what you are taking now

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Hi Mickeyba1,Yes, there are many potential things, medications, food, supplements that can be harmful to the kidneys. I was prescribe a cocktail of meds that after taking 2.5 years of ibuprofen at 1800mg daily crashed my kidneys over 11 years ago. Only recently on my doctor notes does it attribute my CKD to an adverse event from medication. There's nothing I can do about it now, so I move on and advocate for better oversight.

Always talk to ALL of your doctors and have your meds reviewed by all of them. My husband just saw my nephrologist as he is slipping in his fight against CKD. She removed two of his drugs that his cardiologist had prescribed to help his kidneys. She will send a note to the other doctor and explain why. She is doing this because we advocated for her to review all his drugs.

[LuvSmallDogs in reply to Bassetmommer]

My kidney function suffered a decline a few months ago after I had been using a high quality CBD oil externally for pain and breast cancer issues, as well as a sleep aid. I did not think it would harm my kidneys since I only used it externally, and only used 10-20 drops a day, but what goes on the skin also goes into your system. I was ordered to stop it.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to LuvSmallDogs]

Really... this is interesting to me. I was taking CBD oil that was approved by all of my doctors. If fact, it was encouraged. It helped with my anxiety that I had during the pandemic. Other than that, it did little. But it did not harm my kidneys and I took it for a least a year.

[LuvSmallDogs in reply to Bassetmommer]

Yeh, I was so disappointed, but I obeyed when she said, "Stop it immediately".

[mickeyba1 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Bassett, Mickey here. For 10 months my egfr went from 62 to 48. None of my doctors said anything about this. At that rate I figured I would be dead in a year and a half. I do have ckd. But after some self researching my meds I discovered that ozempic, lopid, and glyxambi are all contra-indicated with egfr below 50. So I stopped taking them, dr permission not required. Two months later my kidney decline, stopped, and reversed 35 points, from 48 to 83. My doctor pcp said NOTHING. My serum creatinine went from 1.4 to .87. pcp then ordered urine creatinine 24 hr which is 974 mg. I know that is a low number, but is low bad or good? Anybody know??

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to mickeyba1]

Interesting about Ozempic being contraindicated. I have done due diligence on looking for info on it and I can find as many sites that say it is ok for CKD as to ones that say it is not. I am gambling with it right now and hopefully it is helpful. It sure works on keeping my sugar low.

[mickeyba1 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Per drugs.com : RenalPostmarketing reports: Acute kidney injury, worsening of chronic renal failure. Don't we hope this is an error. But if it is not??? mickeyba1

[Jennfla]

Yep..mine was over prescribed Cipro and bactrim for chronic UTI's...now I'm stage 4 probably headed for dialysis soon! Ugh

[ntsgls11]

Sadly, yes. My primary care Dr had me on Metformin, Lisinopril, Omeprosol, Chlorthalodone & Ibuprofen 800mg. My eGRF went from 58 to 34 from May to July. He was killing me. I have CAD, High BP, T2D, arthritic pain and now Stage 3b CKD. Fired his a*s and now have a good (I hope) new medical team. I did report him.

[miraclelady]

Do any of you have to take Lasix (Furosemide) for fluid retention for CKD? I understand that can damage kidneys too, but we can't let the fluid build up? What do you do/take?

[Sophiebun11 in reply to miraclelady]

I took Lasix prior to CKD and then was told it was one of my many meds possibly contributing to my CKD. I was told by my new primary to start taking 1/2 a tab about every 2 - 4 days as often as I had edema not daily. 2 weeks later was my new Neph. appt. and he switched me to HCTZ, however, that gave me the worst 2 migraines of my life the first 2 days I tried it so I quit. I'm back to taking as little Lasix as possible and still fit into shoes and not gain 6 lbs. in a week. I'm seeing a Cardiologist in 2 weeks for low blood pressure and diastolic CHF related to CKD so I'll see what he thinks about a diuretic for me.

I think diuretics by the nature of what they do are not good for the kidneys. But as you say we can't let the fluid build it. Next fluid will be in our lungs as well as our feet which is the problem I'm having now. Isn't CKD fun!!!

🙃

[miraclelady in reply to Sophiebun11]

Thanks for your reply. Yes, my Nephrologist told me to take 20 mg daily if needed. I know some people take 80 mg twice a day. I, too, have low BP, but it's orthostatic hypotension. So, I have to be careful of how much Lasix I take because that does tend to lower BP. I also take Midodrine to raise my BP. It can drop really low, so I'm alternating or taking both at times. You are right, we can't let the fluid build up and get in our lungs. I hope you can get your regimen all straightened out!!

[Sophiebun11 in reply to miraclelady]

My BP runs around 80/50 but I get no symptoms from it, it freaks out nurses. I even had a GI doctor tell me my BP was way too low and did I feel like I needed to go downstairs to Urgent Care. I told her it's high for me today and just to ignore it.

I took 40mg of Lasix for 25 years, now I'm on 20mg as needed which is frequently : ) I have bradycardia too. I tell my Dr. I'm just very laid back and mellow!! Everything is low except my creatinine but we all are in that boat.

[miraclelady in reply to Sophiebun11]

That's about the lowest level I can function at. If it drops any lower, then I have to take Midodrine. With orthostatic hypotension, it's highest when laying down, drops when I sit, then drops further when I stand. So, if I know I'm going to be out and walking, I make sure I get it up over 100!!! Yes, my creatinine is what is too high too. That's funny that they want to send you to Urgent Care when that's your normal all of the time. I'm glad your body handles it so well. God bless you!!

[LuvSmallDogs in reply to Sophiebun11]

Any top BP under 90 is causing further progression of CKD. I'd see about seeing how I could raise it.

[Sophiebun11 in reply to LuvSmallDogs]

I've had hypotension since I was in my late 20's due to diastolic CHF from my autoimmune disease. I'm seeing a cardiologist. I used to work in a cardiology practice as a paramedic after I had an injury on the ambulance and could no longer lift patients.

Thanks for pointing it out it case I wasn't aware. I realize many people associate hypertension with CKD. My systolic pressure is rarely over 90 unless I have a migraine then it will get up to 110, though the diastolic stays low due to CHF.

My Neph. did send the cardiologist notes of my new pt. consultation 3 weeks ago for Stage 4 CKD and mentioned the hypotension and recommended a few tests he'd like done by the cardiology dept . I'm sure they will be coordinating care. Sutter Health physicians are really good about that between the specialists and with the PCP. I see the cardiologist next week. My neph. was concerned about my BP. I've only seen him once but really like him and he seems very competent.

Thanks again LuvSmallDogs. Do you have a small dog like the one in your icon? Tiny dogs are so cute. I love all animals honestly, from dogs, cats, bunnies and goats. I used to volunteer at the Oakland Zoo in CA for 6 years. I loved that so much. Even the lions and tigers get CKD like pet kitties. I wouldn't have thought of that, but at the zoo they live long enough to get it where in the wild they probably don't and you wouldn't hear about it.

Sorry, I'm shutting off my babbling switch now

😀🐇🐱🐴🦁🐃🐘🦒🦙🐓🦃

[LuvSmallDogs in reply to Sophiebun11]

So glad you are getting the medical care you need. -- Yes I do have a little dog just as in the photo. He is 10 years old and has heart failure + a hereditary kidney disease that is being treated since he was about 8 months old.

[Sophiebun11 in reply to LuvSmallDogs]

He's a doll. He's lucky to have you caring for him all these years. My best wishes for both of your health.🐶🐶🦮🐕‍🦺

[LuvSmallDogs]

My recent drop in GFR was after taking the 4 capsule antibiotic for dental work. I had stopped them several years ago, but did not tell my GP as he would not approve me having dental work without them, and without approval from my GP my dentist would not do my dental work without my filling the prescription and saying I took them. So, for years that is what I did, and my GFR stayed level. But then I took them this last dental appointment "for insurance", not thinking too much about the fact that antibiotics can and do cause kidney damage.

[LuvSmallDogs]

Also, statins can cause sudden drop in GRF, sometimes all the way to complete kidney failure. This is because already damaged kidneys do not handle the muscle damage caused by statins; muscle damage that is then sent through the kidneys.

[nellie237]

Yes. Long story short....... a combination of Losartan & Indapamide for high BP resulted in AKI. eGFR dropped from from 85 to 29 in about 10 days. I'd been on Losartan for about 10 yrs without a problem. 3 days after starting Indapamide I felt very ill and stopped taking it. A week after that my eGFR was 29 and my GP called to tell me to also stop the Losartan immediately, and switch to Amlodipine. Oh, and don't switch your phone off in case we need to send you to hospital for dialysis.

My last eGFR was up to 80, but I will very soon need to add back more BP meds and I'm not looking forward to the challenges that will bring.

I also take bisoprolol 2.5mg & Atorvastatin 40mg which I was not told to stop taking.

A few months before this happened I was diagnosed Coeliac, which may have had an impact. I have since read that patients with CKD should discuss whether to stop bp meds with their Doctor if having severe stomach problems eg Norovirus. It makes my blood boil when I see posts from people whose Doctors didn't tell them they have CKD until the latter stages.......for so many reasons.

[Sophiebun11 in reply to nellie237]

That must have been very scary, nellie237. It's good that AKI can be reversed and yours was caught immediately.

[Bea-positive]

I developed ESRD and needed to start dialysis this year from taking a HIV medication regimen that was being used 15 years ago

[PecanSandie]

I believe this happened to me. I was taking Losartan/HCTZ for a number of years and my eFGR went from 60 to 33 in two years. My doc finally told me to stop taking it and put me on Metoprolol. The reason she had me on Losartan is that it's supposed to be good for people with kidney problems, but there are studies that show that in certain cases it can be bad for the kidneys. Since I stopped my eGFR has risen to 38 so nothing really to get too excited about but at least it went in the right direction.

My nephrologist prescribed furosemide but I am not supposed to take it more than 3 x a week. My feet get puffy because of the heavy dose of Amlodipine (10 MG) that I am also on.