Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them: Health care screwups are one of the leading causes of death in America, killing as many as 750,000 people annually. That’s more than heart attacks or cancer. And yet most people don’t know this, including most physicians. From diagnostic disasters to deadly drug interactions, the bestselling authors of The People’s Pharmacy expose the alarming epidemic of medical mistakes in America—and offer a lifesaving prescription to make the healthcare system safe again. Only $26.00 +s/h
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Q. I read in your column that naproxen can cause kidney damage. I want to reinforce that warning. I lost my kidneys as a result of taking prescription strength naproxen in 1995. I took this anti-inflammatory drug off and on for three to six months.I eventually needed a kidney transplant. I was lucky to get one in time. People must be informed that this kind of medicine can be dangerous. Many doctors prescribe these drugs without warning patients.
A. Over 20 million Americans use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) daily for arthritis and other pain problems. This class of medicine includes OTC ibuprofen and naproxen as well as a range of prescription drugs (celecoxib, diclofenac, etodolac, piroxicam, etc).
Side effects of such drugs include stomach upset, ulcers, high blood pressure, fluid retention, heart failure, skin rash, liver and kidney damage. Anyone with kidney impairment is far more likely to experience kidney toxicity on these drugs.
People in pain are caught in a dilemma. The most frequently prescribed pain medicine, NSAIDs, can cause a lot of damage. We offer a number of other options in our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis.
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When I was 8 years old I was in a sledding accident; while my left kidney was not removed, it no longer fully functioned. I am now 66 and wasn't told not to take NSAIDs until I was 60! Now I remind my doctors I only have one functioning kidney whenever a new medication is prescribed.
I took over-the-counter generic naproxene once a day for several months. That was enough to compromise my kidney function.
I was on prescription strength naproxen now I have stage 3 kidney disease.