Here is a list spelling out which OTC remedies are safe for you to use if you have kidney disease and which you should avoid. This is just a guide. For more detailed information, consult your pharmacist, renal specialist or GP.
Headache remedies and kidney disease
What's safe:
Paracetamol is safe and the best choice of painkiller to treat a headache. But avoid soluble paractamol products as they are high in sodium.
What to avoid:
If your kidney function is less than about 50%, avoid painkillers containing aspirin, ibuprofen or similar drugs such as diclofenac (which has recently become available as Voltarol Pain-eze tablets). These products can deteriorate the function of damaged kidneys.
You should also avoid ibuprofen if you're taking anti-rejection treatment following a kidney transplant.
Low-dose aspirin of 75-150mg a day can be used if it's prescribed for the prevention of vascular disease.
Cough and cold relief
Many of the products available for coughs and colds contain a mixture of ingredients, so check the packaging carefully.
What's safe:
Any product that contains paracetamol.
What to avoid:
Some cough and cold remedies contain high doses of aspirin, which it's best to avoid.
Many cold remedies also contain decongestants, which you should avoid if you have high blood pressure. The best way to clear congestion is by steam inhalation with menthol or eucalyptus. For coughs, try a simple linctus or glycerine honey and lemon to soothe your throat.
Muscle and joint pains
What's safe:
If you have muscle or joint pain, it's ideal to use skin creams and lotions such as Deep Heat, Ralgex and Tiger Balm, which you rub on to the painful area.
What to avoid:
Avoid tablets containing ibuprofen or similar drugs such as diclofenac if your kidney function is below 50%.
Ibuleve (ibuprofen-containing) gel or spray is safer than ibuprofen tablets. But it isn’t completely risk-free, as a small amount of the drug penetrates your skin into the bloodstream.
Indigestion
What's safe:
For occasional treatment of indigestion, Gaviscon liquid or tablets are safe as are Remegel and Rennie tablets, which contain calcium carbonate.
What to avoid:
Don't use Gaviscon Advance to treat indigestion as it contains potassium. And avoid aluminium- or magnesium-containing medicines, such as Aludrox or Maalox, unless they're prescribed by a renal doctor.
Heartburn remedies
What's safe:
Ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid) and omeprazole (Losec) are safe to use for short-term relief of heartburn
What to avoid:
Avoid cimetidine (Tagamet), for heartburn as it can lead to a rise in the blood test for creatinine, making it seem as if your kidney function has got worse.
Hay fever and other anti-allergy medicines
What's safe:
Antihistamine tablets, nasal sprays and eye drops, including well-known brands such as Piriton (chlorpheniramine), Clarityn (loratadine) and Zirtek (cetirizine) are safe to take to relieve allergy symptoms. Preparations containing sodium cromoglycate, such as Opticrom Eye Drops, are also safe.
Read more about antihistamines.
Complementary remedies and kidney disease
What's safe:
Homeopathic medicines are safe for kidney patients.
Read more about homeopathy.
What to avoid:
Avoid herbal medicines if you have kidney disease because they can raise blood pressure. Some, such as St John’s wort (for low mood), can interact with medicines prescribed for kidney disease. Others, such as echinacea (used as a colds and flu remedy), can directly affect kidney function.
Another problem is that different brands (and even different batches of the same brand) of herbal remedy can vary widely in terms of the amount of active ingredient they contain. This makes it difficult to predict how strong a dose will be.
Read more about how your pharmacist can advise you on OTC medicines and kidney disease.
