Health Ministry warns against misuse of painkillers, antibiotics over kidney disease risk. NEW DELHI: Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has issued a fresh advisory on rational consumption of painkillers and antibiotics, in view of their repeated use, without proper medical advice, putting people at the risk of kidney complications and other adverse effects.The drug regulator’s circular says non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Nsaids) and antibiotics are prescription medicines under Drugs and Cosmetics Rules and should be used only when clinically indicated, at the appropriate dose and duration and under medical supervision. It has asked people not to take Nsaids, commonly used as painkillers, repeatedly or for a prolonged period without advice.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesCentral Drugs Standard Control Organisation has also cautioned against self-medication with antibiotics and advised people with existing kidney disease or other risk factors for renal impairment to inform their doctor before taking Nsaids.Prof Sandeep Mahajan, nephrologist at AIIMS, said unregulated and prolonged use of painkillers can accelerate the decline in kidney function. “All prescription medicines should be taken under the supervision of a qualified physician, with the prescribed dose and duration strictly followed.”CDSCO has advised doctors to use the lowest effective dose of Nsaids for the shortest appropriate duration, with extra caution in patients at risk of kidney injury. This comes against the backdrop of a substantial chronic kidney disease burden in India. A 2025 review of community-based studies estimated pooled chronic kidney disease prevalence at 13.24%, although estimates varied widely across regions and studies.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Thappad Maar Diya’: Delhi Deputy CM Parvesh Verma Slaps Man During Road Inspection; AAP Hits Out‘No UPI Day’ On Gandhi Jayanti: Mobile Retailers Announce Oct 2 Protest Over 0.4% MDRViolence Erupts at Punjab’s LPU As Students Protest Over Alleged Rape Case, Police File FIR‘Tried To Drag Me Out Of My Car’: TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh Alleges Second Attack In 24 Hours, Accuses BJP‘Go, Protest In Kerala’: Bengal CM Suvendu Attacks Mamata Banerjee, Rahul Gandhi Over SIR-EC Row‘Tried To Normalise Terrorism’: Jaishankar Hits Back At Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif In UNGA SpeechAlbanese Hails Modi’s Energy Push: ‘India Gave More People Access Than Anywhere In History’Delhi Skeleton Mystery: Skeleton-Like Structure Found During BJP Cleanliness Drive | Watch‘Padma Bhushan Is Small, Make Him PM’: Pawan Khera Mocks BJP’s Praise For Gyanesh KumarSkyStriker, HIMARS, Apache: India, US Showcase Firepower At Yudh Abhyas 2026 | Watch123Hot PicksAsian Games India ScheduleBank strikeCJP ProtestIndian Medallists EarningOctober 2026 School HolidaysFortnite X Five Nights Release DateParvesh Verma Slapping RowShohei Ohtanis ContractIran EmbassyUS SubmarineTop TrendingPowerball WinnerRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotBackyard Amusement ParkUP EncounterAshrit TalluriGrace HendrianErin GardnerJoe ThomasDonald trump

Health Ministry warns against misuse of painkillers, antibiotics over kidney disease risk. NEW DELHI: Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has issued a fresh advisory on rational consumption of painkillers and antibiotics, in view of their repeated use, without proper medical advice, putting people at the risk of kidney complications and other adverse effects.The drug regulator’s circular says non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Nsaids) and antibiotics are prescription medicines under Drugs and Cosmetics Rules and should be used only when clinically indicated, at the appropriate dose and duration and under medical supervision. It has asked people not to take Nsaids, commonly used as painkillers, repeatedly or for a prolonged period without advice.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesCentral Drugs Standard Control Organisation has also cautioned against self-medication with antibiotics and advised people with existing kidney disease or other risk factors for renal impairment to inform their doctor before taking Nsaids.Prof Sandeep Mahajan, nephrologist at AIIMS, said unregulated and prolonged use of painkillers can accelerate the decline in kidney function. “All prescription medicines should be taken under the supervision of a qualified physician, with the prescribed dose and duration strictly followed.”CDSCO has advised doctors to use the lowest effective dose of Nsaids for the shortest appropriate duration, with extra caution in patients at risk of kidney injury. This comes against the backdrop of a substantial chronic kidney disease burden in India. A 2025 review of community-based studies estimated pooled chronic kidney disease prevalence at 13.24%, although estimates varied widely across regions and studies.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Thappad Maar Diya’: Delhi Deputy CM Parvesh Verma Slaps Man During Road Inspection; AAP Hits Out‘No UPI Day’ On Gandhi Jayanti: Mobile Retailers Announce Oct 2 Protest Over 0.4% MDRViolence Erupts at Punjab’s LPU As Students Protest Over Alleged Rape Case, Police File FIR‘Tried To Drag Me Out Of My Car’: TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh Alleges Second Attack In 24 Hours, Accuses BJP‘Go, Protest In Kerala’: Bengal CM Suvendu Attacks Mamata Banerjee, Rahul Gandhi Over SIR-EC Row‘Tried To Normalise Terrorism’: Jaishankar Hits Back At Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif In UNGA SpeechAlbanese Hails Modi’s Energy Push: ‘India Gave More People Access Than Anywhere In History’Delhi Skeleton Mystery: Skeleton-Like Structure Found During BJP Cleanliness Drive | Watch‘Padma Bhushan Is Small, Make Him PM’: Pawan Khera Mocks BJP’s Praise For Gyanesh KumarSkyStriker, HIMARS, Apache: India, US Showcase Firepower At Yudh Abhyas 2026 | Watch123Hot PicksAsian Games India ScheduleBank strikeCJP ProtestIndian Medallists EarningOctober 2026 School HolidaysFortnite X Five Nights Release DateParvesh Verma Slapping RowShohei Ohtanis ContractIran EmbassyUS SubmarineTop TrendingPowerball WinnerRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotBackyard Amusement ParkUP EncounterAshrit TalluriGrace HendrianErin GardnerJoe ThomasDonald trump


'Use lowest effective dose of Nsaids': Fresh advisory on kidney risks of painkiller abuse
Health Ministry warns against misuse of painkillers, antibiotics over kidney disease risk.

NEW DELHI: Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has issued a fresh advisory on rational consumption of painkillers and antibiotics, in view of their repeated use, without proper medical advice, putting people at the risk of kidney complications and other adverse effects.The drug regulator’s circular says non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Nsaids) and antibiotics are prescription medicines under Drugs and Cosmetics Rules and should be used only when clinically indicated, at the appropriate dose and duration and under medical supervision. It has asked people not to take Nsaids, commonly used as painkillers, repeatedly or for a prolonged period without advice.

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