The Effects of Ibuprofen on the Liver & Kidneys
The liver and the kidneys clear toxins and chemicals from the body. However, some medications can affect the function of these organs. The Hospice website notes that nonprescription analgesic drugs such as ibuprofen can cause or worsen problems in the liver and kidneys 2. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, that is used to relieve pain and reduce fever and inflammation 2.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Liver Effects
Up to 15 percent of patients taking NSAIDs such as ibuprofen may experience mild elevations in liver, or hepatic, tests, warns RxList 2. These lab test abnormalities may be temporary or worsen with continued use of these painkillers. RxList also notes that in rare cases, severe hepatic effects such as:
- jaundice
- liver necrosis
- or cell death,
- even liver failure may occur
Kidney Effects
Ibuprofen Side Effects on Kidneys
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Rxlist lists several kidney, or renal, effects due to the long-term use of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen 2. These include renal papillary necrosis, or cell death, renal toxicity and other renal injuries. Renal toxicity has also been seen in some patients.
Creatinine Levels
Decreased kidney function due to ibuprofen is more likely in patients who have existing kidney problems, and RxList warns that long-term use of ibuprofen can cause adverse effects such as decreased clearance of creatinine by the kidney 2. Creatinine is a chemical waste compound that is produced during normal skeletal muscle contractions, and is normally filtered through the kidneys and excreted in the urine.
Hepatitis C
Ibuprofen Drug Side Effects
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According to Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases, or PKIDS, individuals with hepatitis C liver infections have a risk of decreased liver function due to ibuprofen 12. Regular consumption or taking large doses of this painkiller may cause increased stress on the liver, raising the level of hepatic enzymes. It is recommended that patients with chronic hepatitis C undergo liver functions test at regular 3-month intervals.
Drug Interaction
According to RxList, ibuprofen may negatively interact with the normal elimination of other medications, increasing their toxicity in the body 2. An example of this is the psoriasis medication methotrexate, which may be inhibited from kidney filtration if taken with NSAIDs such as ibuprofen 2. The increased levels of drug toxins in the blood can then accumulate in the liver.
Related Articles
References
- Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases: Ibuprofen vs. Acetaminophen
- RxList: Ibuprofen
- Ngo VTH, Bajaj T. Ibuprofen. In: StatPearls. Updated May 30, 2020.
- Bello AE. DUEXIS (ibuprofen 800 mg, famotidine 26.6 mg): A new approach to gastroprotection for patients with chronic pain and inflammation who require treatment with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2012;4(5):327-39. doi:10.1177/1759720X12444710
- Sostres C, Gargallo CJ, Lanas A. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and upper and lower gastrointestinal mucosal damage. Arthritis Res Ther. 2013;15 Suppl 3:S3. doi:10.1186/ar4175
- Strate LL, Singh P, Boylan MR, Piawah S, Cao Y, Chan AT. A prospective study of alcohol consumption and smoking and the risk of major gastrointestinal bleeding in men. PLoS ONE. 2016;11(11):e0165278. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0165278
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Ibuprofen drug facts label. Updated April 6, 2016.
- Patel V, Sanyal AJ. Drug-induced steatohepatitis. Clin Liver Dis. 2013;17(4):533-46, vii. doi:10.1016/j.cld.2013.07.012
- Ding WX, Yang L. Alcohol and drug-induced liver injury: Metabolism, mechanisms, pathogenesis and potential therapies. Liver Res. 2019;3(3-4):129-31. doi:10.1016/j.livres.2019.11.006
- Lipman GS, Shea K, Christensen M, et al. Ibuprofen versus placebo effect on acute kidney injury in ultramarathons: a randomised controlled trial. Emerg Med J. 2017;34(10):637-42. doi10.1136/emermed-2016-206353
- Goyal A, Daneshpajouhnejad P, Hashmi MF, Bashir K. Acute kidney injury (acute renal failure). Updated June 22, 2020.
- Fan Z, Yun J, Yu S, Yang Q, Song L. Alcohol consumption can be a "double-edged sword" for chronic kidney disease patients. Med Sci Monit. 2019;25:7059-72. doi:10.12659/MSM.916121
- Auriel E, Regev K, Korczyn AD. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs exposure and the central nervous system. Handb Clin Neurol. 2014;119:577-84. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-4086-3.00038-2
Writer Bio
Noreen Kassem is a hospital doctor and a medical writer. Her articles have been featured in "Women's Health," "Nutrition News," "Check Up" and "Alive Magazine." Kassem also covers travel, books, fitness, nutrition, cooking and green living.