Silent strain: Rising painkiller misuse puts kidneys at risk

In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Guardian, Dr. Suresh Sankar, Senior Vice President, Global Clinical Affairs at NephroPlus, sheds light on a growing but often overlooked health crisis — the misuse of over-the-counter painkillers and prescription opioids in India.

- Dr. Suresh Sankar

He warns that chronic self-medication, especially among older adults, is leading to a surge in kidney-related complications, many of which go unnoticed until it's too late. With easy access to these drugs and limited awareness about their long-term effects, experts are urging stronger regulations and timely medical oversight to prevent irreversible kidney damage.

Q. Are you seeing a rise in patients misusing over-the-counter painkillers or prescription opioids? What's driving this trend?