Ibuprofen is a common fever medicine and painkiller. It is extremely popular, easy to get and generally safe. However, some people should know that combining ibuprofen with other medicines can be quite dangerous.
A new study at the University of Waterloo has revealed that ibuprofen with a diuretic and a renin-angiotensin system (RSA) inhibitor for high blood pressure forms a combination that is dangerous to kidneys – it can do permanent damage.
Ibuprofen is a very popular painkiller, but it should be taken with a lot of caution. Image credit: Derrick Coetzee via Wikimedia
Ibuprofen and many similar painkillers are over-the-counter products, which automatically makes some people believe that they are safe. However, scientists have been warning people that medicines are always to be used with caution and all appropriate information consumed. You should always consult your doctor about combining different medicines, even if some of them seem completely innocent to you.
Researchers used computer-simulated drug trials to see the interactions of the three drugs and the impact on the kidney. In this case, they looked at ibuprofen, RSA used for high blood pressure and diuretics. These models revealed that for some people this combination can be quite dangerous – it can cause kidney damage, which in some cases may be permanent.
Anita Layton, one of the authors of the study, said: “It’s not that everyone who happens to take this combination of drugs is going to have problems. But the research shows it’s enough of a problem that you should exercise caution.”
All of these medicines are sometimes used together – all of them are quite common. Diuretics force the body to hold less water – basically, people who take these medicines go to the bathroom more often. This effect represents itself through the kidneys, which can then be damaged by combining medicine with ibuprofen. Medicine for high blood pressure is also quite common and necessary to take. This means that these people need to know about potential dangers about taking ibuprofen and similar medicine.
Scientists are also excited about the method itself. Computer modelling allows checking medicine compatibility without performing long and expensive trials. Mathematics and computer science can give a good head start to studies looking into drug complications in some specific cases. Because medicine doesn’t work equally with every health profile.
Ibuprofen does seem a very innocent medicine and people often take it without giving it much thought. However, it is still medicine and you should understand that it can interact with other things you take. Consult a medical professional before combining different medicines, regardless if they are over-the-counter. Because permanent kidney damage is as bad as it sounds.
Source: University of Waterloo