Causes of Analgesic Nephropathy
Analgesic nephropathy involves damage within the internal structures of the kidney. It is caused by long-term use of analgesics (pain medicines), especially over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that contain phenacetin or acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
This condition frequently occurs as a result of self-medicating, often for some type of chronic pain.
Risk factors include:
Use of OTC analgesics containing more than one active ingredient
Taking 6 or more pills a day for 3 years
Chronic headaches, painful menstrual periods, backache, or musculoskeletal pain
Emotional or behavioral changes
History of dependent behaviors including smoking, alcohol use, and excessive use of tranquilizers