There is no specific treatment for chronic kidney disease (CKD), but your doctor may prescribe medications to assist prevent and managing CKD-related health concerns. Managing or preventing these health issues can help prevent kidney disease from worsening.
A "chronic" condition has lasted a long time. If you have chronic renal disease, you and your physician will work together to manage it. The idea is to slow it down so that your kidneys can continue to accomplish their function of filtering waste and excess water from your blood so that you can eliminate them when you urinate.
First, your doctor will investigate the source of your kidney condition. It can happen if you already have diabetes or high blood pressure, for example. A nephrologist, a specialist who specializes in kidney disease, may work with you.
You'll need to take medications and possibly adjust your diet. Diabetes must be managed if you have it. If your kidneys no longer function properly, you may require dialysis (in which a machine filters your blood), and you should discuss with your doctor if a kidney transplant may be beneficial.
The information on this page has been compiled to assist you to understand the many drugs used to treat kidney failure, as well as to guide you as to what you can take if you have kidney disease. Always check with your doctor, kidney doctor, or pharmacist before altering or starting any drugs.
The only way to find out whether medications are right for you is to consult with your doctor. Your doctor will select medications for you depending on a variety of criteria, including:
- Other medications you are using
- Your renal disease's stage
- Your other health issues
Discuss all of your given medications with your doctor and other health care providers:
Learn the names of the medications prescribed by your doctor.
Learn how each medication works to keep you healthy.
Understand when to take various medications, such as before bed or after eating.
Learn which medications you can and cannot take together.
To learn more about medications and kidney disease read more here.