What Medications Do You Take For Kidney Disease

Talk To Your Doctor Before Taking Any Over

Because CKD can change the way your body processes certain substances, its important to talk to your doctor about any over-the-counter medication, vitamins, or supplements that youre takingwhether its something new or something youve been taking regularly. Certain medications and even herbal substances can be harmful at any stage of CKD. Talking to your doctor can help ensure that youre protecting your kidney health.

What Can I Do To Keep My Kidneys Healthy

Kidney disease caused by analgesics is often preventable Here are some things you can do to help keep your kidneys healthy.

• Do not use over-the-counter pain relievers more than 10 days for pain or more than three days for fever. If you have pain or fever for a longer time, you should see your doctor
• Avoid prolonged use of analgesics that contain a mixture of painkilling ingredients, like aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine mixtures in one pill
• If you are taking analgesics, increase the amount of fluid you drink to six to eight glasses a day
• If you are taking analgesics, avoid drinking alcohol
• If you have kidney disease, consult your doctor before taking an analgesic, particularly NSAIDs and higher dose aspirin.
• Use NSAIDs under your doctor’s supervision if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease or liver disease or if you take diuretic medications or are over 65 years of age
• Make sure your doctor knows about all medicines you are taking, even over-the-counter medicines
• Make sure you read the warning label before using any over-the-counter analgesics.

What Is Kidney Transplantation

Kidney transplantation involves placing a healthy kidney into your body where it can perform all of the functions that a failing kidney cant. Kidneys for transplantation come from two sources: living donors and deceased donors. Living donors are usually immediate family members or sometimes spouses. This is possible because a person can live well with one healthy kidney.

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Be Careful About Using Over

If you take OTC or prescription medicines for headaches, pain, fever, or colds, you may be taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug . NSAIDs include popular pain relievers and cold medicines that can damage your kidneys if you take them for a long time, or lead to acute kidney injury if you take them when you are dehydrated or your blood pressure is low.

Ibuprofen and naproxen are NSAIDs. NSAIDs are sold under many different brand names, so ask your pharmacist or health care provider if the medicines you take are safe to use.

You also can look for NSAIDs on Drug Facts labels like the one below.

Using Mounjaro With Other Drugs

Your doctor may prescribe other drugs along with Mounjaro to manage your blood sugar levels. Examples of these drugs include:

Its important to note that using Mounjaro with other diabetes treatments, especially insulin, can increase your risk of low blood sugar. This can be serious or even life threatening if not treated quickly. So, your doctor may monitor your blood sugar levels more often if you use Mounjaro with other treatments. In some cases, your doctor may decrease your dose of your other diabetes medication to prevent low blood sugar.

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Estimating Gfr And Creatinine Clearance

Dosages of drugs cleared renally are based on renal function . These calculations are valid only when renal function is stable and the serum creatinine level is constant.

The K/DOQI clinical practice guideline advocates using the traditional Cockcroft-Gault equation or the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation for routine estimation of GFR.1 However, in patients with a GFR lower than 60 mL per minute per 1.73 m2, the MDRD equation has been shown to be superior to the Cockcroft-Gault equation.2

Because the production and excretion of creatinine declines with age, normal serum creatinine values may not represent normal renal function in older patients. The MDRD equation has been shown to be the best method for detecting a GFR lower than 90 mL per minute per 1.73 m2 in older patients.3

Equation
Age, weight, sex, serum creatinine	Nephron Information Center Web site:
Modification of Diet in Renal Disease	Age, sex, race, serum urea nitrogen, serum albumin, serum creatinine	National Kidney Disease Education Program Web site:
Nephron Information Center Web site:

Over The Counter Medications And Chronic Kidney Disease

Pain Medications

Acetaminophen is safe to use. If you have liver problems you should check with your pharmacist or physician first. Do not take more than 12 regular strength tablets or 8 extra strength tablets per day. Acetaminophen will relieve pain and fever but NOT inflammation.

Medications such as ibuprofen , naproxen , or acetylsalicylic acid are unsafe for your kidneys. They can also increase blood pressure, increase risk of heart attack and stroke and cause stomach ulcers and bleeding. These agents should be avoided with the exception of low-dose daily Aspirin 81 mg, which is safe for regular use if prescribed by your doctor.

Heartburn

Most over the counter medications for heartburn are safe to use occasionally. If your heartburn occurs daily, speak with your family physician. Magnesium-containing products should be avoided as they accumulate in patients with kidney disease.

For occasional use

Constipation

Constipation is a common problem for people with chronic kidney disease as both iron tablets and calcium tablets can cause this side effect. You may be on other medications, such as pain medications, which can cause constipation.

If you are taking a medicine on a daily basis which can cause constipation you should also take a medication to prevent constipation. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which medication is best for you. You do not need to take this with lots of additional fluid which is often recommended.

Diarrhea

Cough & Cold Medicine

Diabetes

Herbal Products

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How Will I Know Which Medicines Are Right For Me

The only way to know which medicines are right for you is to talk to your doctor. Your doctor will choose medicines for you based on many factors, including:

• Other medicines you are taking

Talk to your doctor and other health care providers to understand all your prescribed medicines:

• Learn the names of the medicines your doctor prescribes
• Understand how each medicine works to keep you healthy
• Know when to take different medicines, such as before bed or after eating
• Know which medicines you can or cannot take together

Always talk to your doctor before you start or stop any medicines, including any vitamins and supplements.

Is Mounjaro Used For Weight Loss

Mounjaro is not approved for use as a weight-loss drug. But because the drug is prescribed along with exercise and a balanced diet, some people may lose weight during their Mounjaro treatment.

Your doctor may also prescribe Mounjaro off-label for weight loss.

In studies, some people using Mounjaro reported weight loss. This may be due to the drug working to slow down your digestion, which can help you feel full for a longer time. In addition, this drug can cause nausea or decreased appetite, which can lead to weight loss.

If you have questions about weight loss with Mounjaro, talk with your doctor.

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Pain Medication For People With Kidney Disease

Pain is one of the most common and distressing symptoms for people with chronic kidney disease . Take care when choosing a pain killer as some types should not be taken by people with kidney problems or should only be used with specialist guidance. When a pain killer is prescribed for you for either acute or chronic pain, a stepwise approach is used . This means that the weakest pain killer from the first step of the analgesic ladder is tried first. If you are still in pain, a stronger pain killer will be tried. Your pain and any side effects will be monitored closely.

This information explains the different types of pain killers recommended if you have kidney disease. This information is for older children and adults only.

More Information On Medicines

We have a number of leaflets about the various medicines you may be prescribed depending on your condition:-

Note: these tablets can usually be stopped 6 months after a transplant.

Antibiotics used to treat haemodialysis line infections

Note: usually given as a single dose injection, then blood levels need to be measured.

Antibiotics to treat peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients

Note: usually given as a course, either intravenously or in the dialysis fluid then blood levels need to be measured.

Drugs that lower blood pressure

• Calcium antagonists
• ACE-inhibitors or ‘Prils’
• ARBs or ‘Sartams’

Note: all blood pressure tablets, if given in too high dosage, can cause low blood pressure and dizziness. ACE-inhibitors and ARBs can increase the potassium levels in the blood and cause or worsen kidney failure.

Water tablets

Note if given in too high dosage, these tablets can cause dehydration, low blood pressure and dizziness.

Spinolactone can cause the potassium levels in the blood to rise.

Drugs that control renal bone disease

Phosphate binders

Note: these tablets can also cause the calcium level in the blood to rise.

Cinacalcet

• This drug has the advantage of not raising calcium levels.

Drugs that increase your blood count

• Ferrous sulphate tablets

Note: ESA injections are often given under the skin, from three times a week, to once a month. They can cause blood pressure to go up.

Drugs that control vasculitis

• Stronger: azathioprine
• Very strong: cyclophophamide

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What Are Nsaids Are They Safe To Take

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a specific group of pain relievers. Some NSAIDs are available over the counter. This includes different brands of ibuprofen, naproxen sodium and ketoprofen.

NSAIDs are usually safe for occasional use when taken as directed, but if you have known decreased kidney function, they should be avoided. These medications should only be used under a doctor’s care by patients with kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure or liver disease or by people who are over 65 or who take diuretic medications. NSAIDs may cause an increased risk of sudden kidney failure and even progressive kidney damage.

Approval Is First To Cover Many Causes Of Disease

For Immediate Release:

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Farxiga oral tablets to reduce the risk of kidney function decline, kidney failure, cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with chronic kidney disease who are at risk of disease progression.

Chronic kidney disease is an important public health issue, and there is a significant unmet need for therapies that slow disease progression and improve outcomes, said Aliza Thompson, M.D., M.S., deputy director of the Division of Cardiology and Nephrology in the FDAs Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Todays approval of Farxiga for the treatment of chronic kidney disease is an important step forward in helping people living with kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease occurs when the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood normally. Due to this defective filtering, patients can have complications related to fluid, electrolytes , and waste build-up in the body. Chronic kidney disease sometimes can progress to kidney failure. Patients also are at high risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke.

Farxiga was not studied, nor is expected to be effective, in treating chronic kidney disease among patients with autosomal dominant or recessive polycystic kidney disease or among patients who require or have recently used immunosuppressive therapy to treat kidney disease.

The FDA granted the approval of Farxiga to AstraZeneca.

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Check The Medications You Are Taking

If you have chronic kidney disease you should ask your doctor to check through the drugs you are taking. This is because some drugs pass out of the body by way of the kidneys, and the dose may need to be reduced if the kidneys are working less efficiently. Also, there are some drugs that are slightly toxic to the kidneys, and others that may cause problems with the levels of minerals in your blood.

Do tell your doctor if you take any tablets you buy at the chemist , of if you take any herbal or other alternative remedies, such as Echinacea, St John’s Wort or even vitamin supplements.

Medications to avoid taking if you have CKD belongs to a family of drugs called NSAIDs . There are several different drugs in this class, and they are painkillers used for arthritic pain or headaches. One type, ibuprofen, can be bought from the chemist or the supermarket without prescription check the label carefully if you are buying painkillers, as ibuprofen is sold under several different brand names . Many people with CKD have painful conditions and can take NSAIDs with careful supervision, but it is worth talking to your doctor about alternative painkillers. Paracetamol can be used safely if you have CKD, but remember to keep to the recommended doses.

Common Drugs Prescribed For Dialysis Patients

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or diagnosis from a physician.

The kidneys are involved in so many different bodily functions that it is impossible for dialysis to replace everything a healthy kidney can do. Staying on the kidney diet , plus following fluid restrictions, can help, but medicines can assist people in maintaining a higher quality of health for a longer possible time. People with kidney disease who actively participate in their medical care and understand their medicines usually come out ahead when it comes to feeling their best. Here are seven prescriptions people on dialysis may need.

1. Erythropoietin

Nearly all patients with end stage renal disease who are on dialysis, have anemia. Anemia occurs when a person has a low red blood cell count. Kidneys make and secrete the hormone erythropoietin. Erythropoietin is the hormone responsible for keeping a normal red blood cell count, and the kidneys are responsible for making and secreting this hormone.

Most patients with renal failure on hemodialysis will get erythropoietin during each treatment by intravenous injection into the return dialysis tubing. Most peritoneal dialysis patients will get erythropoietin by injection directly under the skin.

2. Iron

Many dialysis units now give small amounts of intravenous iron during hemodialysis.

Regular blood tests will tell a patient’s doctor if they need iron therapy.

7. Vitamin E

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Which Pain Killers Should I Avoid

NSAIDs should be avoided if you have chronic kidney disease or have a kidney transplant. This is because they can worsen your kidney function and cause fluid retention They may be safe to take if you are on dialysis and do not produce any urine but they can cause bleeding from the stomach and gut and should not be taken for long periods of time or if you have a a history of ulcers.

Opiates should be used very carefully as levels can build up in the body and cause side effects such as drowsiness. They can also cause nausea and constipation, which can be a significant problem if you are on peritoneal dialysis as it can result in the catheter being squashed and therefore unable to drain the fluid correctly.

Always follow your doctors or pharmacists advice about painkillers and never take more than the recommended dose.

What Are Analgesics

Analgesics are medicines that help to control pain and reduce fever, and some types also decrease inflammation. Examples of analgesics that are available over the counter are: aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, Ketoprofen and naproxen sodium. Prescription strength pain medicines are also available. Some analgesics contain a combination of painkilling ingredients in one pill- such as aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine- that have been linked to kidney disease. These are not as readily available as in the past.

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What Should You Do

• Do not take any medicine, drug or substance unless you are under a healthcare provider’s supervision.
• Do not take pills or substances given to you by a stranger or even a friend.
• If you do take a medication or other substance and feel ill, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
• If you need to have an imaging test or colonoscopy, let your healthcare provider know if you have kidney disease or are at risk for getting it.

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What Causes Kidney Disease

Kidney diseases happen when your kidneys are damaged and cant filter your blood. The damage can happen quickly when its caused by injury or toxins or, more commonly, over months or years.

High blood pressure and diabetes are the two most common causes of chronic kidney disease. Other causes and conditions that affect kidney function and can cause chronic kidney disease include:

• Glomerulonephritis. This type of kidney disease involves damage to the glomeruli, which are the filtering units inside your kidneys.
• Polycystic kidney disease. This is a genetic disorder that causes many fluid-filled cysts to grow in your kidneys, reducing the ability of your kidneys to function.
• Hypertensive nephrosclerosis. Kidney damage caused by chronic, poorly controlled hypertension.
• Membranous nephropathy. This is a disorder where your bodys immune system attacks the waste-filtering membranes in your kidney.
• Obstructions of the urinary tract from kidney stones, an enlarged prostate or cancer.
• Vesicourethral reflux. This is a condition in which urine flows backward refluxes back up the ureters to the kidneys
• Nephrotic syndrome. This is a collection of symptoms that indicate kidney damage.

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Drugs You May Need To Avoid Or Adjust If You Have Kidney Disease

Medications save and improve lives, but it can be easy to overlook their risks and side effects, especially if you don’t think they apply to you. Twenty-six million Americans have chronic kidney disease and most don’t know it.

If you don’t know how well your kidneys are working, you may not realize that certain medications could be damaging your kidneys and other parts of your body. Both prescription and over-the-counter medications are filtered by the kidneys. This means that your kidneys degrade and remove medications from the body.

When your kidneys aren’t working properly, medications can build up and cause you harm. It’s important to get your kidneys checked and to work with your doctor to make any adjustments to your medication regimen, such as dosing changes or substitutions. This will help prevent any negative effects from the medication, including further kidney damage.

You can determine your level of kidney function with a blood test for serum creatinine to calculate an eGFR measurement. An eGFR estimates how well your kidneys are filtering wastes from the blood.

Here are 5 common types of prescription and over-the-counter medications may need to be adjusted or replaced if you have kidney damage.

Cholesterol medications. The dosing of certain cholesterol medications, known as “statins”, may need to be adjusted if you have chronic kidney disease.

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