
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, April 16, 1990                   TAG: 9004160021
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PHILADELPHIA                                LENGTH: Medium

STUDY SAYS IBUPROFEN CAN MAKE KIDNEYS FAIL

Over-the-counter doses of the popular pain reliever ibuprofen can cause kidney failure in people with mild kidney disease, according to a group of medical researchers who want warnings on the labels of the drug strengthened.

A three-year study on the drug is detailed in Sunday's Annals of Internal Medicine.

In an editorial, two scientists urged the Food and Drug Administration to strengthen the drug's warning, to urge consumers "with any serious condition" to consult their doctors before using the drug.

Ibuprofen, approved for sale on a non-prescription form since 1985, is marketed under brand names such as Advil, Medipren, Motrin and Nuprin. It accounts for about 20 percent of the nation's $2.5 billion annual over-the-counter sales of pain relievers.

The study examined the short-term effects of ibuprofen on 12 women with mild kidney disease who also had arthritis and high blood pressure, two illnesses that often prompt the use of ibuprofen.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, led by Dr. Andrew Whelton, gave participants 800 milligrams of ibuprofen three times a day - the equivalent of 12 ibuprofen tablets - for up to 11 days.

After eight days, three women developed kidney failure, which reversed when ibuprofen was discontinued. The remaining nine, who received ibuprofen for 11 days, showed changes in kidney function but did not develop kidney failure.

After recovering, the three women were given 400 milligrams of ibuprofen three times a day, equivalent to the non-prescription dose. Two of the three again developed kidney failure but recovered when the drug was stopped.

Ibuprofen relieves pain by interfering with the body's production of prostaglandin, a substance involved in inflammation. But at the same time, the drug constricts blood flow.

Normally, the change poses little risk if used for a short period. But for those whose blood flow to the kidneys is already reduced by kidney, heart or liver damage, the flu or aging, ibuprofen could trigger acute kidney failure, the researchers said.

by CNB