What do painkillers like Advil and Ibuprofen do to your liver if you take too many of them and why?
In: Biology
This part is not an answer to your ELI5…
Just an addon for you to worry about.
Ibuprofen is the number one medication cause for kidney failure. Number three overall, I think.
This includes Motrin, Advil, etc which are all just brand names for ibuprofen.
The issue is NSAIDs, which also includes Naproxen Sodium (Aleve), and Aspirin.
Here’s more info: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/painmeds_analgesics
Now to try at a VERY simple ELI5 to answer your question.
NSAIDs like ibuprofen and Naproxen Sodium reduce blood flow to the kidneys (and liver) that can result in damage to the organ.
Decreased blood flow over an extended period of time or a significant reduction due to an unusually large dose can damage the organ to the point it may not recover.
As mentioned earlier, this damage is the third greatest cause of kidney failure and the need for dialysis.
Pretty much every Nephrologist (kidney doctor) I’ve spoken to and there have been a lot say that ibuprofen should be taken off the market due to the amount of damage it has done.
It’s a matter up for debate, but many Nephrologists would say take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) it’s safer for the kidneys and the liver toxicity levels required are much higher before any damage can occur.
Edit: Because so much debate has happened and not everyone reads past the first post.
Acetaminophen is not without it’s own risks. Acetaminophen overdose is the leading cause of liver failure in the US.
My opinion is that because the toxic dose of acetaminophen is very high (approximately 4 – 10g) whereas the toxic dose for ibuprofen can be much lower acetaminophen is the preferred choice for the occasional general pain.
Others disagree. Speak with your doctor about your specific situation before taking anything. Your individual health needs will influence what and how much of any medication you should take.
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