Do diabetes medicines or insulin damage kidneys or liver over time?
Patient's Query
Doctor, I have a doubt that keeps bothering me. I am taking diabetes tablets and sometimes insulin injections. I keep hearing from relatives and reading online that these medicines slowly damage the kidneys and liver.
Some people even say insulin itself causes kidney failure. When I see patients on dialysis, they often say it happened because of long-term diabetes medicines. This makes me scared to take treatment regularly.
Is there any truth in this? Are these drugs quietly harming my organs, or is this just a myth?
Doctor Answers
Let me answer this very clearly and simply.
Diabetes medicines and insulin do not damage kidneys or liver.
Uncontrolled diabetes damages organs.
When blood sugar remains high for years, it injures blood vessels and tissues. That is what leads to kidney failure, eye damage, nerve damage, and heart disease. Medicines are prescribed to bring sugar into a safe range and protect these organs.
A common misunderstanding happens like this. Many patients are started on insulin or stronger medicines only after kidney damage has already begun. Then people wrongly blame the drug. In reality, the damage started much earlier due to poor sugar control.
About side effects, this is the correct way to understand it:
- Some diabetes drugs need dose adjustment when kidney or liver function is reduced
- Some drugs are avoided in advanced organ failure or in certain age groups
- This is done for safety, not because the drug causes damage
Insulin is actually the safest option in people with kidney or liver disease. It does not harm these organs. That is why insulin is often preferred when kidney function is poor.
Think of medicines like a seatbelt. If someone has an accident, the seatbelt did not cause the injury. It was used to reduce harm. Diabetes medicines work the same way. They reduce complications, they do not create them.
Never stop medicines based on online messages. Always discuss concerns with your treating endocrinologist.
References:
- https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/49/Supplement_1/S132/163927/6-Glycemic-Goals-Hypoglycemia-and-Hyperglycemic
- https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/38/1/140/37869/Management-of-Hyperglycemia-in-Type-2-Diabetes
- American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. Diabetes Care. Sections on complications and pharmacologic therapy.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this Q&A is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance and treatment recommendations.