23 September 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has issued a fresh advisory warning against the indiscriminate, repeated and prolonged use of painkillers and antibiotics, citing risks including kidney damage, chronic kidney disease and antimicrobial resistance.
The advisory applies to healthcare professionals, pharmacists, retailers, distributors, hospitals and the general public, with the regulator calling for medicines to be used only when clinically indicated and under appropriate medical supervision.
Warning Over NSAID Use
The regulator has specifically raised concerns over non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a widely used class of medicines for pain and inflammation.
CDSCO has advised doctors to consider a patient’s age, existing illnesses, other medicines and risk factors before prescribing NSAIDs. It has also recommended using the lowest effective dose for the shortest appropriate duration, particularly for people at higher risk of kidney problems.
People with existing kidney disease or other risk factors for renal impairment have been advised to inform their healthcare professional before taking NSAIDs.
Antibiotics Should Not Be Self-Medicated
The advisory also stresses that antibiotics should not be taken without medical advice.
CDSCO said antibiotics should be used only when clinically indicated and should generally not be used for uncomplicated viral infections, where antibiotics do not provide treatment. Patients have also been advised not to use leftover antibiotics or share prescribed medicines with others.
Incorrect Doses Can Increase Risks
According to the advisory, unnecessary antibiotic combinations, inappropriate drug selection, incorrect dosing and unnecessarily prolonged treatment should be avoided.
Doctors have been asked to consider the likely organism, infection site and severity, along with microbiological testing and local antibiotic-susceptibility patterns where appropriate.
Kidney Risk Can Be Higher in Vulnerable Patients
Some painkillers can reduce blood flow to the kidneys, while several medicines used to treat infections are eliminated through the kidneys.
The risk can become more significant in people with existing kidney disease, dehydration or other conditions affecting kidney function. Kidney-health guidance also notes that NSAIDs can contribute to acute kidney injury, particularly in vulnerable or dehydrated individuals.
Pharmacies Asked to Follow Prescription Rules
CDSCO has also directed pharmacists, retailers and distributors to comply with statutory requirements governing the sale of prescription medicines.
They have been asked not to encourage or facilitate self-medication with antibiotics or prescription-only NSAIDs and to follow the warnings and conditions attached to medicine labels.
Hospitals Told to Strengthen Monitoring
Hospitals and healthcare institutions have been asked to strengthen systems for rational prescribing and monitoring of NSAIDs and antibiotics.
The advisory also calls for greater emphasis on antimicrobial stewardship, prescription review and patient counselling to reduce unnecessary medicine use and prevent avoidable complications.
Antimicrobial Resistance Also a Concern
The warning comes not only because of kidney-related risks but also because inappropriate antibiotic use can contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
When bacteria become resistant to commonly used antibiotics, infections can become more difficult and expensive to treat, increasing pressure on healthcare systems.
Public Asked to Seek Medical Advice
People have been advised to seek medical attention when pain, fever or other symptoms persist or repeatedly return instead of continuing to take painkillers or antibiotics on their own.
The government has asked states and Union Territories to create awareness among doctors, pharmacists, retailers and the public about the risks associated with inappropriate use of these medicines.
A Push for Responsible Medicine Use
The latest advisory is part of the government’s effort to promote the rational, safe and responsible use of medicines.
CDSCO has emphasised that appropriate prescribing, correct dosing and proper treatment duration can help reduce avoidable adverse drug reactions, renal complications and antibiotic resistance.