Drugs

As soon as kidney failure is diagnosed, patients are given medication to help control the symptoms and slow the progress of the damage to the kidneys. In some cases, the use of medication and diet alone can delay and even prevent the need for dialysis.

It is important that you understand why you are prescribed different drugs. Ask your doctor what the drugs he or she prescribes are for, and whether you might experience any side effects.

Don't take any medications bought over the counter without first checking with your doctor or renal unit. Many drugs need healthy kidneys to eliminate them properly from the body and are therefore unsuitable for kidney patients.

Drug group	Other names	Common types	Use	Links to further information
ACE inhibitors	Antihypertensives, Vasodilators, Blood pressure pills	Captopril Enalapril Lisinopril	Reduced high blood pressure Help slow progression of diabetic kidney disease Treat heart disease	Blood Pressure
Alpha-blockers	Antihypertensives, Vasodilators, Blood pressure pills	doxazosin, prazosin, terazosin	Reduce high blood pressure	Blood Pressure
Antibiotics		Penicillin, Amicilyin, Vancomyicin	Treat infection	Transplantation
Antivirals		Acyclovir, Glanciclovir	Treat viral infections such as herpes, CMV. Reduce risk of viral infection with CMV after transplantation	Transplantation
Antihistamines		Chlorpheniramine	Reduce symptoms of itching caused by high levels of phosphate in the body	Phosphates
Beta-Blockers	Antihypertensives, Blood pressure pills	Atenolol, Metoprolol, Propranolol	Reduce high blood pressure, Heart disease	Blood Pressure
Calcium Antagonists	Antihypertensives, Vasodilators, Blood pressure pills	Amlodipine, Nifedipine, Diltiazem, Istin	Reduce high blood pressure, Treat heart disease	Blood Pressure
Diuretics	Water pills	Bumetinide, Frusemide	Reduce amount of fluid in body and prevent fluid overload by increasing amount of urine passed	Fluid balance
Immunosuppressants		Cyclosporin, Azathioprine, Prednisolone, Mycophenolate, Tacrolimus	Prevent rejection of transplant, Steroids link to here	Transplantation
Iron pills			Treat iron deficiency (anaemia)	Amaemia
Laxatives		Lactulose, Senna, Codanthromer	Prevent constipation	Peritoneal dialysis
Phosphate binders		Aluminum hydroxide, Sevelamer	Prevent build-up of phosphate in body	Renal bone disease
Statin	Lipid lowering, Cholesterol lowering		Help to reduce the levels of cholesterol in the blood	Heart problems
Steroids	Anti-inflammmatories	Prednisolone, Prednisune	Slow progression or treat certain kidney diseases (eg, nephritis)
Vitamin B			Compensate for vitamin B lost during dialysis
Vitamin C			Compensate for vitamin C lost during dialysis
Vitamin D			Provide vitamin D in active form (usually converted by healthy kidneys)	Renal bone disease

May 1, 2006

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