Kidney Stones - Treatment

Highlights	Diagnosis	Prevention
Introduction	Treatment	Resources
Causes	Medications	References
Risk Factors	Other Treatments
Symptoms	Complications

Medications

Medications for Calcium Stones

Diuretics. Diuretics are medicines commonly used to treat high blood pressure and other disorders. They remove fluid and sodium from the body. Low doses of a class of diuretics known as thiazides are sometimes used to reduce the amount of calcium the kidneys release into the urine. Thiazides include:

Hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, HydroDIURIL)
Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
Trichlormethiazide (Metahydrin, Naqua)
Chlorthalidone (Hygroton)

However, thiazides also cause potassium loss, which reduces citrate levels and can increase the risk for stones. Patients taking thiazide pills should also take potassium citrate to prevent citrate loss. Amiloride (Midamor) is a potassium-sparing diuretic, which may be used if a thiazide does not work.

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Citrates. Citrate salts are often given to people with calcium oxalate or uric acid stones:

Potassium magnesium citrate is available over the counter. It is proving to be very beneficial in preventing kidney stones.
Potassium citrate (such as K-Lyte, Polycitra-K, and Urocit-K) is the only treatment given to people with normal urine calcium levels. Between 70% - 75% of patients with recurrent stones have ongoing remission (no stone recurrence) with potassium citrate treatment. However, some people cannot tolerate potassium citrate because of side effects (stomach problems).
Magnesium citrate (such as Citroma and Citro-Nesia) may help people who develop calcium stones from impaired intestinal absorption due to short bowel disease.

People with struvite stones, urinary tract infections, bleeding disorders, or kidney damage should not use these products. Patients who take citrate supplements containing potassium should not take any other medications that either contain this mineral or prevent its loss (such as so-called potassium-sparing diuretics). People with peptic ulcers should avoid citrate supplements, or discuss using non-tablet forms with their doctor.

Phosphates. Phosphates help reduce the breakdown of bone that releases calcium into the bloodstream. They are also involved in the kidney's reabsorption of calcium from the urine.