💊 Medications & Monitoring
Understanding your medications and monitoring requirements is crucial for managing kidney disease. This guide covers common CKD medications, lab monitoring, and important safety guidelines.
⚠️ Important Safety Notice
Never stop taking your medications without talking to your doctor first.
Stopping medications suddenly can be dangerous and may cause your kidney function to decline rapidly.
Always discuss any concerns about side effects or medication changes with your healthcare team.
Common CKD Medications
🩸 Blood Pressure Medications
ACE Inhibitors & ARBs
These medications protect your kidneys by reducing protein in your urine and lowering blood pressure.
Examples: Lisinopril, Enalapril, Losartan, Valsartan
Purpose: Protect kidneys, lower blood pressure
Side effects to watch: Dry cough, dizziness, high potassium
Diuretics (Water Pills)
Help your body remove excess fluid and salt, reducing swelling and blood pressure.
Examples: Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide
Purpose: Remove excess fluid, lower blood pressure
Side effects to watch: Frequent urination, dehydration, low potassium
🦴 Bone & Mineral Medications
Phosphorus Binders
Help control high phosphorus levels by binding to phosphorus in your food.
Examples: Calcium carbonate, Sevelamer, Lanthanum
Purpose: Lower phosphorus levels
Side effects to watch: Constipation, nausea, stomach upset
Vitamin D Supplements
Help your body absorb calcium and maintain healthy bones.
Examples: Calcitriol, Ergocalciferol
Purpose: Bone health, calcium absorption
Side effects to watch: High calcium levels, nausea
🩸 Anemia Medications
EPO (Erythropoietin)
Helps your body make red blood cells to treat anemia caused by kidney disease.
Examples: Epoetin alfa, Darbepoetin
Purpose: Treat anemia, increase energy
Side effects to watch: High blood pressure, blood clots
Iron Supplements
Help build red blood cells and treat iron deficiency anemia.
Examples: Ferrous sulfate, Iron sucrose
Purpose: Treat iron deficiency anemia
Side effects to watch: Constipation, dark stools, stomach upset
🧪 Other Important Medications
Sodium Bicarbonate
Helps control acid levels in your blood when kidneys can't remove acid properly.
Purpose: Control acid levels
Side effects to watch: Stomach upset, fluid retention
Statins
Lower cholesterol and protect your heart, which is especially important with kidney disease.
Purpose: Lower cholesterol, protect heart
Side effects to watch: Muscle pain, liver problems
Lab Monitoring: What to Track
Regular lab monitoring helps your doctor track your kidney function and adjust medications as needed. Here are the key tests and what they mean:
Kidney Function Tests
eGFR
Measures how well your kidneys filter waste. Normal: 90+ mL/min
Creatinine
Waste product that builds up when kidneys aren't working well
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)
Another waste product that increases with kidney disease
Mineral & Electrolyte Tests
Potassium
High levels can cause heart problems. Normal: 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
Phosphorus
High levels can damage bones. Normal: 2.5-4.5 mg/dL
Calcium
Important for bone health. Normal: 8.5-10.5 mg/dL
Blood Cell Tests
Other Important Tests
UACR
Measures protein in urine. Normal: <30 mg/g
PTH (Parathyroid Hormone)
Controls calcium and phosphorus levels
Cholesterol
Important for heart health with kidney disease
Medication Safety Guidelines
🚫 What NOT to Do
- • Never stop medications without talking to your doctor
- • Don't skip doses - take medications exactly as prescribed
- • Avoid over-the-counter medications without checking with your doctor
- • Don't double up if you miss a dose - ask your doctor what to do
- • Never share medications with others
- • Don't store medications in hot or humid places
✅ What TO Do
- • Take medications exactly as prescribed
- • Keep a medication list and bring it to all appointments
- • Report side effects to your doctor immediately
- • Ask questions about any new medications
- • Use a pill organizer to avoid missing doses
- • Store medications in a cool, dry place
Side Effects to Watch For
⚠️ Call Your Doctor Immediately If You Experience:
Serious Side Effects
- • Chest pain or pressure
- • Difficulty breathing
- • Severe dizziness or fainting
- • Swelling in face, lips, or throat
- • Severe muscle pain or weakness
- • Unusual bleeding or bruising
Kidney-Related Symptoms
- • Sudden weight gain
- • Swelling in legs, feet, or hands
- • Changes in urination patterns
- • Fatigue or weakness
- • Nausea or vomiting
- • Itching or rash
Key Takeaways
- • Never stop medications without talking to your doctor first
- • Track your lab results regularly to monitor kidney function
- • Report side effects immediately to your healthcare team
- • Keep a medication list and bring it to all appointments
- • Ask questions about any new medications or changes
- • Regular monitoring is crucial for managing kidney disease
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