Doctors in the city are worried about the rise in the number of people who get renal failure following overdose of painkillers, and the lead-rich medication prescribed as part of alternative medicine treatments.
“While diabetes and hypertension are still the leading causes for chronic kidney disease, cases of patients becoming victims of acute renal failure after consuming excess over-the-counter medication is escalating alarmingly,” said Dr N. Karikalan, a city-based nephrologist.
“In recent times, we have seen that at least 8 to 10 per cent of patients with acute renal failure are those who overdose on medication without prescription, especially painkillers,” says the doctor. The doctors say a big “no” to self-medication that could even turn fatal and also advise people above 30 to undergo regular blood sugar and urine tests to detect renal failure at an earlier stage.
At the same time, elderly patients who have been prescribed painkillers for prolonged periods should undergo tests to monitor their kidney functions often and take drugs that are less 'renal toxic'.
“A lot of people are opting for alternate medicines these days and often these medicines contain certain components in excess which also becomes an important cause of renal failure. They should be more careful about what kind of medicines they are consuming and the levels of consumption as well,” said Dr Adiseshan, a nephrologist at a private clinic in Mylapore.
With the state staggering under the burden of insufficient donor kidneys for transplants, doctors note that it is essential for people to avoid taking over-the-counter medication and cultivate the habit of approaching a doctor when health issues arise.