ISLAMABAD: Experts have warned against the unnecessary or prolonged use of painkillers and antibiotics, noting that inappropriate medication use can cause health problems and, in some cases, affect kidney health.
Certain painkillers, particularly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can carry kidney-related risks. These risks may be greater for people with existing kidney disease, heart failure or other health conditions. Medical guidance recommends using such medicines at the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary duration when they are appropriate.
Antibiotics also should not be considered a treatment for every illness. They work against certain bacterial infections but do not treat viral illnesses such as colds and flu. Unnecessary antibiotic use can expose people to side effects and contribute to antimicrobial resistance, which can make infections more difficult to treat.
Health authorities advise people not to reuse leftover antibiotics for a new illness, take antibiotics prescribed for someone else or share their medicines with others. When antibiotics are prescribed, they should be taken exactly as directed by a healthcare professional.
Experts also recommend particular caution among people who already have kidney problems or other conditions that may increase medication-related risks. Rather than self-medicating, such patients should discuss appropriate medicines and doses with a healthcare professional.
The key message is that medicines should be used for the condition they are intended to treat and according to appropriate medical advice. Avoiding unnecessary painkiller and antibiotic use can help reduce preventable side effects and, in the case of antibiotics, slow the spread of drug-resistant infections.