Archive · 24 Sep 2026
India's Drug Regulator Warns Against Indiscriminate Painkiller, Antibiotic Use
India’s drug regulator has warned people not to use painkillers or antibiotics carelessly.
Some painkillers called NSAIDs can affect how the kidneys work, especially when taken for a long time or by people with existing kidney problems.
They can also cause the body to hold extra water and salt.
Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, but they do not treat most viral illnesses.
Using antibiotics unnecessarily can cause side effects and make bacteria resistant to treatment.
A few antibiotics can also directly injure the kidneys.
People should not share antibiotics or use medicine left over from an earlier illness.
These medicines can still be useful when a healthcare professional recommends them.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation warned against indiscriminate or prolonged use of NSAID painkillers and antibiotics.
NSAIDs can reduce kidney blood flow and may contribute to acute kidney injury, fluid retention, high blood pressure, or worsening kidney disease in susceptible people.
The regulator advised using painkillers at the lowest effective dose for the shortest appropriate duration.
People should not self-medicate with antibiotics, share them, or use leftovers, especially for viral illnesses such as colds and influenza.
The advisory does not call for stopping these medicines, but urges prescription compliance and medical guidance.
- Who
- The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), healthcare professionals, pharmacies, retailers, distributors, hospitals, and medicine users.
- What
- CDSCO issued an advisory against indiscriminate use of NSAID painkillers and antibiotics and highlighted associated kidney and medication risks.
- When
- The circular was published on September 22; the year was not specified.
- Where
- The advisory was published on the CDSCO website in India.
- Why
- To encourage appropriate use, prescription compliance, and caution about kidney injury, adverse effects, and antimicrobial resistance.
CDSCO's Broad Warning
Expert Context
Relationship to kidney disease
CDSCO's Broad Warning
CDSCO grouped NSAIDs and antibiotics in an advisory about indiscriminate use and associated chronic kidney disease risk.
Expert Context
Dr Amitav Banerjee said the risks should not be treated as equivalent: NSAIDs have a well-established kidney-risk mechanism, while routine antibiotic use is not itself a major generic cause of chronic kidney disease.
Main concern with antibiotics
CDSCO's Broad Warning
The regulator warned against inappropriate antibiotic use and urged people not to self-medicate.
Expert Context
Banerjee said the principal population-level concerns are antimicrobial resistance, adverse reactions, unnecessary exposure, and inappropriate treatment; selected antibiotics can also cause drug-related kidney injury.
- Regulator
- Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
- Advisory title
- “Indiscriminate use of painkillers (NSAIDs), antibiotics and associated risk of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)”
- Painkiller guidance
- Use NSAIDs at the lowest effective dose for the shortest appropriate duration.
- Higher-risk groups
- People with kidney disease, dehydration, cardiovascular disease, or other renal-impairment risk factors should take particular caution.
- Antibiotic guidance
- Do not self-medicate, share antibiotics, or use leftovers from an earlier prescription.
- Antibiotic limitation
- Antibiotics treat bacterial infections and do not treat most viral infections.
- Prescription rules
- Many NSAIDs are covered under Schedule H, while most antibiotics are covered under Schedule H1 of the Drugs Rules, 1945.