Aspirin, ASA, Acetylsalicylic Acid
OTC Medications for Pain Relief
Why Avoid Aspirin, Tylenol, NSAIDs? The reason so many over the counter drugs are found together is because the end result from taking these drugs is similar, acute kidney necrosis.Aspirin
Analgesic-induced renal papillary necrosis can result. The kidneys can shut down. Many kidney doctors caution PKD'rs against the long term use of over the counter pain relievers such as aspirin, paracetamol, tylenol, phenacetin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or other prescription or over-the-counter medications that impair kidney function.Salicin, the active ingredient in willow bark, seems to have contributed to the death of the great composer, Ludwig von Beethoven. Apparently, Beethoven ingested large amounts of salicin before he died. His autopsy report is the first recorded case of a particular type of kidney damage that can be caused by salicin, present in modern day aspirin.
Tylenol, Paracetamol, Acetaminophen
Tylenol remains the most common medication used in the USA and the number one cause of acute liver failure. The FDA has issued a box warning"highlighting the potential for severe liver injury and a Warning highlighting the potential for allergic reactions (e.g., swelling of the face, mouth, and throat, difficulty breathing, itching, or rash) are being added to the label of all prescription drug products that contain acetaminophen."
The difficulty with taking TylenolŽ, acetaminophen, paracetamol, for a long period of time (greater than 1 tablet every 3 months) is that kidney damaging effects are cumulative, gathered over an entire lifetime. Liver failure can occur even when taken in therapeutic doses. A prospective study out of Australia showed the long term use of tylenol caused kidney failure in individuals without any prior kidney disease. When tylenol is combined even with the smallest amount of alcohol this increases by 123% your chances for developing kidney damage. That is why most packaging warns people who have three or more drinks a day to stay away from taking acetaminophen. Tylenol elevated liver enzymes in healthy adults.
Excedrin
Excedrin contains 250 mg of aspirin, 250 mg of acetaminophen (tylenol), and 65 mg of caffeine. This is a triple whammy of kidney decline. Caffeine enhances the action of cAMP by inhibiting its breakdown, resulting in more circulating cAMP, increasing cyst growth, creating more cysts, enlarging cystic organs and increasing symptoms. The aspirin can result in acute kidney necrosis. The paracetamol decreases liver functioning as is the number one cause in the USA of liver failure. In the Australian study, acetaminophen resulted in kidney damage.
Reyes syndrome: Children and teenagers who have or are recovering from chicken pox or flu-like symptoms should not use excedrin. When using this product, if changes in behavior with nausea and vomiting occur, consult a doctor because these symptoms could be an early sign of Reyes syndrome, a rare but serious illness.
Acetaminophen may cause allergic reactions: skin reddening, blisters, rash, hives, facial swelling, asthma (wheezing), eventually leading to shcok.
Severe liver damage may occur if you take more than 2 caplets in 24 hours, which is the maximum daily amount or if you combine this with other acetaminophen products or if one has 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while taking excedrin, or taking more or for a longer time than directed.
Too much caffeine may cause nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, and, occasionally, rapid heart beat.
NSAIDs, Ibuprofen, naproxen, aleve, motrin, advil
In children if both tylenol and NSAIDs are given simultaneously, there is an increased chance of kidney damage. Chinese dates jujuba counteract kidney damage from ibuprofen.
A few PKD'rs have been willing to try to
utilize anti-inflammatory foods to relieve different pains:
lemon juice for headaches and daily minor aches
cherries for wrist and joint pain
papaya and pineapple useful for diminishing back pain. Papaya contains papain and pineapple contains bromelain.
Should a woman with PKD who has had a stroke at age 35 take daily aspirin?
This was asked to a panel of PKD doctors. They all said that this is a tough question because you have to weigh the possibility of another future event against kidney damage. They all asked to know the particulars. If the person had low kidney functioning already and was currently on dialysis that would be a different situation from someone who had no evidence of diminished kidney functioning. Generally with the prior history of stroke, they thought perhaps a small dose of baby aspirin might be OK. The risk of a future stroke and the risk of bleeding and kidney health decreasing all have to be considered as well as the remaining quality of life. A major cause of strokes is atrial fibrillation. Aleve (naproxen) thins the blood causing a tendency to bleed more easily. It reduces the excretion of lithium by the kidneys which increases lithium blood levels. It weakens the heart muscle. Lithium is to be avoided as lithium alone can cause kidney failure. On the elemental chart, lithium is above sodium. Lithium may have some similar properties to sodium. Salt or sodium is to be limited with PKD.
Women who take daily baby aspirin have fewer strokes. Men who take baby aspirin have fewer heart attacks. There is another option. Ask your doctor about the possibility of drinking a cup of chamomile or chrysanthemum tea, both are potent blood thinners.
