Stories
CDSCO Warns: Overuse of Antibiotics and Painkillers Can Cause Kidney Damage!
- •CDSCO has issued new advice to control the uncontrolled use of painkillers and antibiotics.
- •Unnecessary and prolonged use of these medicines increases the risk of kidney damage, the advisory warns.
- •Painkillers (Schedule H) and most antibiotics (Schedule H1) should not be sold without a doctor's prescription.
- •People should not self-medicate; antibiotics are not needed for viral infections.
- •Doctors should prescribe these medicines at the lowest possible dose and for the shortest duration, considering patient's health.
Key Questions Answered
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has warned that the unnecessary and prolonged use of painkillers and antibiotics significantly increases the risk of kidney damage. The advisory specifies that these medicines should only be used when medically necessary, in the correct dosage, and under medical supervision.
Many painkillers are classified as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) under Schedule H, meaning they cannot be sold without a registered doctor's prescription. Most antibiotics fall under Schedule H1, which requires a specific warning label and a proper prescription to ensure they are not sold indiscriminately.
Pharmacies are instructed not to sell painkillers and antibiotics without a doctor's recommendation or encourage self-medication. Doctors are advised to prescribe these drugs only after assessing the patient's age, health conditions, and potential risks, utilizing the lowest possible dose for the shortest duration.
