Dimapur: Drugs Control Administration of Nagaland’s Health and Family Welfare Department on Tuesday issued a health-safety advisory cautioning against the indiscriminate use of painkillers, particularly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and antibiotics, citing associated risks to kidney health.The advisory, issued in pursuance of a directive from Drugs Controller General (India) and Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, aims to promote the safe and rational use of medicines and prevent avoidable risks to public health. The central advisory refers to the risks of adverse drug reactions, renal complications and antimicrobial resistance associated with the indiscriminate use of NSAIDs and antibiotics.The people have been advised not to take NSAIDs, painkillers or antibiotics indiscriminately, repeatedly or for prolonged periods without medical advice.Antibiotics should not be used for self-medication or for conditions in which antibiotic treatment is not clinically indicated, including most uncomplicated viral infections.People have also been advised to take antibiotics prescribed by healthcare professionals strictly as directed, and not to share them with others or use leftover medicines.Those with pre-existing kidney disease or other risk factors for renal impairment have been 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, rather than repeatedly using painkillers or antibiotics without medical guidance.For healthcare professionals, the advisory said NSAIDs and antibiotics should be prescribed only when clinically indicated, after considering the patient’s condition, age, co-morbidities, concomitant medicines and other 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.
