Dimapur: Nagaland’s Health and Family Welfare department’s drugs control administration on Tuesday issued a health safety advisory cautioning against the indiscriminate use of painkillers, particularly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics and the associated risk of chronic kidney disease.
The advisory, issued in pursuance of the directive and advisory of the Drugs Controller General (India), Central Drugs Control Organisation, is aimed at promoting the safe and rational use of medicines and preventing avoidable risks to public health.
For the public, the advisory stated that NSAIDs, painkillers and antibiotics should not be taken indiscriminately, repeatedly or for prolonged periods without medical advice.
Antibiotics should not be used for self-medication or for conditions where antibiotic treatment is not clinically indicated, including most uncomplicated viral infections.
The public has also been advised to take antibiotics prescribed by healthcare professionals strictly as directed and not to share them with others or use leftover medicines.
Individuals with pre-existing kidney disease or other risk factors for renal impairment have been particularly advised to inform their healthcare professionals before using NSAIDs.
The advisory further urged people to seek medical advice when pain, fever or other symptoms persist or recur, instead of repeatedly using painkillers or antibiotics on their own.
For healthcare professionals, the advisory said NSAIDs and antibiotics should be prescribed only when clinically indicated, after considering the patient’s clinical condition, age, co-morbidities, concomitant medicines and relevant risk factors.
In the case of NSAIDs, the lowest effective dose for the shortest appropriate duration should be considered, particularly for patients at increased risk of renal impairment.