Australian Prescriber is unable to comment on individual cases or give second opinions. Australian Prescriber Vol. The kidneys clear many medicines from the body. Patients whose kidneys are not working properly may be unable to clear some medicines. They may need to take a lower dose of the medicine so that it does not build up inside the body.
Some medicines can damage the kidneys if the dose is too high.
The elderly and people with diabetes or heart disease may be more at risk of kidney damage. Many commonly used medicines, such as pain killers or treatments for blood pressure, can affect the kidneys. You need to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have had kidney problems when they ask you to take a new medication.