On the misconceptions that taking medications could harm kidney functions, the findings by the Ministry of Health and Welfare show that noncompliance with prescribed medication regimen, chronic and autoimmune diseases are the main culprits. The Taiwan Drug Relief Foundation advised patients to abide by doctors’ orders and keeping with the principle of the “five noes”, that is refraining from acting on and believing in unverified rumors and purchasing and consuming products that were not prescribed by physicians to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment as well as preventing harmful side effects. The Taiwan Drug Relief Foundation reminds patients of chronic diseases to keep to their medication regimens and refrain from buying alternative drugs when they feel the onset of discomforting side effects. Instead patients should consult their physicians and avoid harmful drug interactions between multiple medications.

As high blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipid levels lead to increased contraction rates of chronic kidney disease in Taiwan’s aging population, the Taiwan Drug Relief Foundation reminds the public that patients with high blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipid levels are susceptible to kidney diseases. For example, diabetic patients with high blood sugar levels are more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases that affect blood flow to the kidneys and leading to damage to kidney function.

Patients with high blood pressure are more susceptible to impacts to bowel health and the kidney’s ability to maintain water level in the body, while patients with high blood lipid levels could contract atherosclerosis, leading to chronic vasculitis and increased chances of contracting chronic kidney diseases.

As the elderly grow older, their kidney function wanes, those taking medications to treat chronic diseases need regular checkups on kidney and liver functions. In particular, those taking multiple medications need to consult their doctors in the event of adverse side effects to lower the risks of kidney damage from harmful drug interactions.

【2019-05-28 / United Daily News】