A review on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs induced kidney diseases

Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are used as over-the-counter drugs for Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory conditions. They inhibit prostaglandins synthesis by acting on Cyclooxygenase enzymes in the Arachidonic cascade which causes various abnormal effects like peptic ulcers, Gastrointestinal bleeding, sodium and water retention, hypertension, hemodynamic kidney injury, nephrotoxicity, stroke, and myocardial infarction when used for a longer duration, especially in older patients/comorbidities patients/pre-existing renal disease patients. This is because in older patients decrease in glomerular filtration rate and comorbidity conditions increase the risk of NSAIDs and cause Acute Kidney injury, Tubulointerstitial nephritis, and chronic kidney injury. NSAIDs do not cause much risk in patients who are young, without pre-existing kidney disease and without comorbidities. Physicians should educate patients with caution on the usage of NSAIDs for longer periods and should prescribe drugs in a dose-dependent manner.