Painkillers for every ache? CDSCO warns of kidney risks, antibiotic misuse

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has issued a fresh advisory warning of potential kidney risks and antibiotic misuse related to the overuse of painkillers (NSAIDs) and antibiotics. The regulator advises against taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) repeatedly or for prolonged periods without medical advice, as well as self-medication with antibiotics.

Doctors are urged to use the lowest effective dose of NSAIDs for the shortest appropriate duration, especially in patients at risk of kidney injury. The advisory comes amid a high burden of chronic kidney disease in India, with a 2025 review estimating the prevalence at 13.24%.

Brief written by urgent.news from Times of India's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.