By One of the important health discussions in India this month is responsible use of painkillers and antibiotics. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has advised healthcare professionals and pharmacists to discourage indiscriminate use of these medicines because inappropriate use can contribute to kidney damage and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
💊 Why Is This Topic Important?
Many people take a painkiller for headaches, body pain or fever without consulting a doctor. Antibiotics are also sometimes taken for common infections without knowing whether the infection is actually bacterial.
The problem is that not every fever or infection requires an antibiotic, and repeated or inappropriate medicine use can create health risks.
🫘 Your Kidneys Help Remove Waste From the Body
The kidneys filter waste and excess substances from your blood.
Some medicines, particularly certain NSAID painkillers, can affect kidney function, especially when used frequently or in people who already have kidney problems.
Risk can be higher in situations such as:
- 💧 Dehydration
- Existing kidney disease
- Older age
- Certain other medicines
- Frequent or prolonged painkiller use
That doesn’t mean painkillers are always unsafe. The issue is inappropriate or excessive use.
🦠 Antibiotics Are Not “Strong Fever Medicines”
This is an important misconception.
Antibiotics work against bacterial infections. They do not treat viruses such as those causing many common colds and viral respiratory infections.
Taking antibiotics unnecessarily can also contribute to antimicrobial resistance, making some infections harder to treat in the future.
⚠️ Avoid These Common Mistakes
❌ Taking someone else’s prescription medicine
❌ Repeating an old prescription without medical advice
❌ Taking antibiotics because a previous illness had similar symptoms
❌ Increasing the dose because symptoms haven’t improved quickly
❌ Combining multiple painkillers without checking with a healthcare professional
💧 Hydration Also Matters
Dehydration can put additional stress on the kidneys, particularly when someone is taking certain medicines.
During illness, especially with vomiting, diarrhoea or significant fever, maintaining appropriate fluid intake is important. But people with conditions that require fluid restriction should follow their clinician’s advice instead.
🩺 When Should You Talk to a Doctor?
If pain, fever or other symptoms persist, worsen, repeatedly return, or are accompanied by concerning symptoms, it’s better to identify the cause rather than repeatedly treating the symptom yourself.
For people taking regular medicines, a doctor or pharmacist can also check for potential interactions and whether the medicine is appropriate.
🌿 Today’s Health Takeaway
“Medicine is not automatically safe just because it is commonly used.”
Before repeatedly using a painkiller or starting an antibiotic, understand why you need it, how much you should take and for how long.
India’s drug regulator has specifically urged responsible use of painkillers and antibiotics because inappropriate use can increase kidney-related risks.
This article is for general health awareness and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Follow Us On Instagaram
