People with chronic kidney disease are often prescribed multiple medicines. Talking to your doctor or pharmacist about what they are for and how they work can be helpful.
When you take medicines, your kidneys or liver break them down, so they can do their job. This process is called drug metabolism. When you have kidney disease, your kidneys don’t work as well as they should, and this can change how your body responds to some medicines.
This is why you may need to change or stop some medicines or take them at a different dose. It is important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking any new medicines, to find out if they are ok for your kidneys. This includes any medicines you may buy over the counter at the supermarket or pharmacy.
The medicines your doctor prescribes will depend on your overall health, the stage of your chronic kidney disease (CKD), and which treatment options will help you best. The medicines you take are likely to change over time, as your overall condition and health changes.
If you are seeing a new health professional, it is important that you tell them about your kidney disease, as this may influence their choice of medicines and other treatments. This includes health professionals such as your dentist, who may also prescribe medicines for you.
There are several medicines that you may take to help your kidneys. Some of these medicines may also help with other health conditions. For example, there are medicines that help with lowering your blood pressure and your kidneys to work better for longer.
If you are living with CKD, you may take medicines to:
To get the full benefits, it is important to: