A Medical Doctor at the Internal Medicine Department at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Dr. Nii Odartey Lamptey says some painkillers, one of which is the Diclofenac medication, can cause kidney damage if used repeatedly.
Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation.
When kidneys are unable to filter blood the usual way, kidney diseases occur.
Dr. Odartey Lamptey notes that the usual medicinal combinations of Diclofenac and Paracetamol, often used by manual laborers when they experience discomfort in certain areas of their body, induce kidney damage due to them taking the drugs without prescriptions.
He stated that the Diclofenac drug if given by a medical practitioner is prescribed for at least five to seven days. However, individuals who self-medicate continually medicate with the return of the symptoms of the pain.
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In an interview on GTV and monitored by ATLFMNEWS, Dr. Lamptey emphasized that this is a very bad option for individuals to practice.
“There are certain pain killers that cause chronic kidney disease when used for a long time and an example is Diclofenac. In our system, we tend to have Diclofenac per with Paracetamol and different medications… when you use it chronically by the time you realize it causes the kidney to destroy.” He said
He recommended that individuals go to the hospital rather than self-medicate when they are sick, and also refrain from receiving pain relievers from co-workers or friends when they are unwell.
Source: Anthony Sasu Ayisadu/ATLFMNEWS
