Warnings issued over ibuprofen’s impact on kidneys

Regular ibuprofen use can damage kidneys, Kidney Care UK and the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) have warned.

The warnings highlight that over-reliance on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) poses a serious but underappreciated threat – with over-reliance defined by Kidney Care UK as taking the maximum dose for more than three days per week for more than three months.

It comes as a new survey of 571 people by Kidney Care UK found that almost three quarters (72%) of people living with kidney disease were unaware that NSAIDs like ibuprofen could negatively impact kidney function if used long term or in high doses.

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Olivier Picard, chair of the NPA said: ‘Medicines have the power to harm as well as to heal. Although NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, are effective and safe medicines, patients should be aware of their impact, particularly if a patient is at increased risk of developing kidney disease and consider alternative medication where appropriate.’

NSAIDs, which include ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac, lower the amount of blood that flows through the kidneys and can lead to acute kidney injury (AKI).

Out of the almost 295,000 people who completed Kidney Care UK’s checker, around one in four people (24%) reported that they regularly use over the counter medication for pain relief.

Kidney Care UK highlighted that there are around one million people who have kidney disease but are not aware of it in the UK. In fact, in it’s Falling through the G-App report, published in December 2025, a survey of more than 1,300 people showed that 11% found out they had chronic kidney disease (CKD) by seeing it recorded in the NHS App. While almost 15% were told they had CKD unexpectedly while being treated for something else and 40% did not have the opportunity to discuss their diagnosis with a healthcare professional.

Both organisations state that the findings underscore why it’s important that people with kidney disease are told about their diagnosis as soon as possible and are given advice on how to look after their kidneys and maintain their kidney health – including which medicines, such as NSAIDs, to avoid.

Fiona Loud, policy director at Kidney Care UK, said: ‘Kidney disease can happen to anyone at any time, and can have a devastating impact on your life, relationships, finances as well as your physical and mental health. You can lose up to 90% of your kidney function without realising so it’s important to be aware of the signs to look out for, to know if you might be at increased risk, and what to do if you are concerned.’

Ms Loud noted that: ‘It only takes a few minutes to complete our online Kidney Health Checker to see if you might be at increased risk. If you have any concerns, you can raise these with your GP or have a chat with your local pharmacist.’

Kidney Care UK note that those who are at increased risk of developing kidney disease are: