Almost all medicines taken by the human body are eliminated by the kidneys. Drinking plenty of water when taking medicines can reduce the burden on the kidneys, excrete toxins, and enhance metabolism. It is suggested to drink plenty of water while taking the following types of drugs.
Antibacterial drugs
- Sulfonamide antibacterial drugs: Sulfonamide drugs are mainly excreted through the kidneys, and sometimes precipitate from the urine and form crystals, causing low back pain, hematuria, and proteinuria. In severe cases, the crystals can block the urinary tract and cause urine. Drinking a lot of water can increase urine output and reduce the concentration of drugs in the urine, and to avoid precipitation of crystals and damage the kidneys.
- Quinolone antibacterial drugs: such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, etc., mainly excreted by the kidneys. Crystaluria may occur when large doses of fluoroquinolones are used or the urine pH is above 7. In order to avoid the occurrence of crystaluria, you should drink more water.
- Aminoglycoside antibiotics: such as gentamicin, amikacin, etc., aminoglycoside antibiotics are highly toxic to the kidneys. The higher the concentration, the greater the damage to the renal tubules. Therefore, it is suggested to drink more water to dilute and accelerate the excretion of the drug.
Antiviral drugs
Antiviral drugs such as acyclovir, famciclovir, etc. can cause drug crystalline renal failure, it is advisable to drink more water during the medication, especially the elderly due to the decline of physiological renal function.
Antipyretic and analgesics drugs
When taking antipyretic and analgesics, such as paracetamol injection or tablet, it is suggested to drink more water especially when one have high fever or in summer. The reason are as follows: 1) these drugs can stimulate the stomach at high concentrations;2) drinking water during a cold helps the body to urinate a lot to metabolize toxins in the body;3)these drugs can cause patients to sweat a lot, and it is indeed necessary to properly replenish water.
Anti-gout drugs
When taking anti-gout drugs such as allopurinol, benzbromarone, etc., it is necessary to drink plenty of water to reduce the irritation of the drug to the digestive tract. At the same time, the urine should be alkalized to prevent the formation of stones in the urinary tract during the excretion of uric acid.
Bisphosphate
Such as alendronate sodium, clodronate disodium, etc.Bisphosphonates are irritating to the esophagus and must be taken with at least 200ml of water. Bisphosphonates can cause electrolyte disturbance and water loss during treatment of hypercalcemia,, so it is necessary to drink enough water.
