A quick note as to the kidney involvement and medication.
Often, it's not that the drug will damage the kidney; rather, it's that with reducted kidney function, a drug cannot clear the body in the same amount of time it would normally take; thus, the risk of overdosing (accidentally) is super high.
Yes, some drugs will damage the kidney just on it's own (or other organ - liver comes to mind). But some drugs just can't get clear of the system, and toxic levels build up in the blood, and OD'ing is definitely possible.
That's the reason that older folk cannot take the same dose as younger folk; over time, the kidneys do wear out, and lose function. In nursing, the adage for older folks is "start low, go slow" meaning decrease the starting dose, and only increase slowly. It's the same thing with known decreased kidney function.
Totally OT, I know, but hopefully it helps shed some understanding on how drugs are moderated (or should be) if there is existing kidney damage, and why some labels warn "use caution" if there is a kidney issue.
Best-
Herding Cats
O/T....I can relate.. I was diagnosed with PBC 3rd stage in 2006.. Never been a drinker and have never to my knowledge taken any drugs that weren't FDA approved...I'm now taking 1200 mg of Ursodiol daily to help my liver function..
And when it quits functioning.. I'm a goner...I was told never to take another Tylenol