Kidney Disease Treatment

Types of Medications & How They Work

• Ace inhibitors (Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) – Kidney disease can cause the blood pressure to increase. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors lower blood pressure and help retain some degree of kidney function. The medications widen the blood vessels and help the kidneys more effectively get rid of extra water and hormones which often increase blood pressure. Common Ace inhibitors for kidney disease include Captopril (Capoten), Enalapril (Vasotec), Fosinopril (Monopril), Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), and Ramipril (Altace).

• Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) – ARBs are used to lower blood pressure in kidney disease sufferers and include Azilsartan (Edarbi), Eprosartan (Teveten), Irbesartan (Avapro), Losartan (Cozaar), Olmesartan (Benicar), and Valsartan (Diovan).
• Beta Blockers – Lower blood pressure by blocking adrenaline which encourages the heart to be to beat slower and with less force.
• Diuretic (water pills): Encourage more frequent urination which helps the kidneys get rid of excess salt and water which all increase blood pressure.
• Potassium binders – Potassium binders are medications that help your body get rid of potassium. Kidney disease causes a build-up of potassium which can damage the heart and cause muscle problems.
• Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) -Kidney disease causes a depletion of red blood cells in the body. The kidneys cause a depletion of the hormone erythropoietin (EPO) which is what signals the body to make red blood cells and leads to anaemia. ESA helps stimulate red blood cell production.
• Iron supplements – With iron supplements, the body is encouraged to make more red blood cells.
• Sodium bicarbonate – Helps balance the acid in the blood to slow kidney disease.
• Phosphate binders – Phosphate binders are a medication that helps your body get rid of unwanted phosphorus in the blood. Kidney disease leads to a build-up of phosphorus which weakens the bones.
• Dapagliflozin (Farxiga) – A diabetes medicine dapagliflozin has also been shown to slow the progression of kidney diseases.