Dr Punam Krishan appeared on BBC Morning Live after Kidney Care UK and the National Pharmacy Association issued a warning about some painkillers
A BBC specialist has issued fresh guidance following warnings about medications taken by millions across Britain. Kidney Care UK and the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) released an alert earlier this month concerning anyone taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac.
Specialists warned that those at greater risk of kidney disease, including people with diabetes or high blood pressure, ought to exercise particular caution, as these medications can raise blood pressure and harm blood vessels in the kidneys. Speaking on BBC Morning Live, Dr Punam Krishan emphasised that patients taking these types of painkillers ‘long term’ must maintain regular consultations with their GP.
Dr Punam said: “So many people use painkillers. Some people might be using it for a period of time for an acute problem or be on them long term. And sometimes I think there can be bit of stigma attached to being on painkillers Now look at there’s different types of painkillers. You’ve got paracetamol, you’ve got non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. So examples of that are ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, you’ve got your opioids. So that’s codeine or tramadol morphine based medications. And then you’ve got painkillers that um help with nerve pain.
“Some people might be on one, some people might be on a combination of these. Now when you look at headlines like this, it suggests that painkillers in general cause kidney damage and that’s not the case. They’re referring to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in this headline and this isn’t new. So, we know that these medications work by blocking inflammation.
“What they can do though by doing that they can reduce blood flow to the kidneys and in some people they can increase blood pressure if you’ve got pre-existing kidney issues. Now, in general, if you’re fit and well, you’ve got no other kidney problems, taking anti-inflammatory medications is absolutely fine. If you are on them long term, your GP have a handle on it. It’s why we do general reviews with people that are on repeat painkillers.”
She urged those who had been prescribed the medication not to abandon their course of treatment out of worry, and instead seek advice from their GP. She explained: “People can sometimes just suddenly stop taking their painkillers. And the thing is they serve a purpose. Of course, you shouldn’t take something if you don’t need it.
“But if you’re just kind of carrying on without painkillers and trying to soldier your own, actually it affects your quality of life and other aspects of your life. So, it’s just making sure that you’re checking in with your doctor if you’re regularly on them. If you are taking them over the counter and you don’t know what the root cause of the pain is, see your GP so we can investigate that.”
Speaking about the warning issued earlier this month, Olivier Picard, chair of the NPA, stated: “Medicines have the power to harm as well as to heal. “Although NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, are effective and safe medicines, patients should be aware of their impact – particularly if a patient is at increased risk of developing kidney disease – and consider alternative medication where appropriate.
“If a patient has concerns about their usage of NSAIDs, they should speak to their pharmacist who can advise them. Pharmacists are experts in medicines and are best placed to offer advice to people who may be concerned about any potential long-term effect of some medicines and can help patients effectively manage pain.”
Approximately 7.2 million people across the UK are currently living with some form of chronic kidney disease, which typically presents no symptoms during its early stages. Kidney Care UK also suggests that roughly one million individuals remain undiagnosed. Those at heightened risk of developing the condition include: people with diabetes; individuals with high blood pressure; those with a family history of kidney disease; and people from black and south Asian backgrounds.
Fiona Loud, policy director at Kidney Care UK, said: “Kidney disease can happen to anyone at any time, and can have a devastating impact on your life, relationships, finances as well as your physical and mental health.”
Among the 294,999 individuals who used the charity’s kidney health checker between October 2024 and March 2026, nearly a quarter (24%) reported regularly taking over-the-counter painkillers.
