YourSpine.com - Chiropractic - Overuse of Common Analgesics Lead to Kidney Failure

Overuse of Common Analgesics Lead to Kidney Failure

The American Journal of Kidney Diseases reports that The National Kidney Foundation says chronic use of a combination of acetaminophen and aspirin, such as that found in brands like Excedrin, is so dangerous that it should not be sold over the counter.

In fact, it is so dangerous that between 8 and 10 percent of chronic kidney failure can be attributed to overuse of these combination analgesics, says Dr. William Henrich of the National Kidney Foundation.

The problems lies in the fact that, over time, acetaminophen and aspirin seem to work together to produce scarring and calcification of kidney tissue, eventually shutting them down.

Dr. William Bennett of the Foundation's advisory board said he defines chronic use as "taking two to three doses (as indicated on the label) every day." An accumulated lifetime dosage of 1.5 kilograms is considered excessive use. At the rate of two doses of Excedrin per day, it would only take four years to reach that limit, assuming that the person didn't take any other analgesics. Part of the problem, Bennet said, is that people assume that if a drug is sold over the counter, it is safe.

Change Zip Code Close