High blood pressure damages your kidneys. It is the second leading cause of kidney disease.1,2
Lowering your blood pressure can help prolong your kidney function. Many types of blood pressure medicines may be prescribed for people with kidney disease.1,2
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitorsACE inhibitors reduce blood pressure by widening blood vessels and reducing hormones that affect blood pressure. Some examples of ACE inhibitors are:1,8
Benazepril (Lotensin®)Captopril (Capoten®)Enalapril (Vasotec®)Fosinopril (Monopril®)Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)ARBs lower blood pressure by widening blood vessels as well. Examples of ARBs include:1,9
Losartan (Cozaar®)Valsartan (Diovan®)Candesartan (Atacand®)Irbesartan (Avapro®)Calcium channel blockersCalcium channel blockers stop the entry of calcium into the cells of blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels to widen and reduces stress on the blood vessels, thus lowering blood pressure. Examples of calcium channel blockers include:10
Amlodipine (Norvasc®)DiltiazemFelodipine (Plendil®)Nifedipine (Procardia®)VerapamilBeta-blockersBeta-blockers stop the production of adrenaline. Adrenaline is a hormone that causes your heart rate and blood pressure to rise. Beta-blockers slow your heart rate down and reduce the force at which the heart pumps. This lowers your blood pressure.1,10
Examples of beta-blockers include:10
AcebutololAtenolol (Tenormin®)Bisoprolol (Zebeta®)Metoprolol (Lopressor®, Toprol XL®)Carvedilol (Coreg®)DiureticsDiuretics are water pills that help you produce more pee (urine). When you pee more, you help your kidneys flush out extra salt and waste in your blood. Examples of diuretics include:1,11
Chlorothiazide (Diuril®)Furosemide (Lasix®)Bumetanide (Bumex®)Ethacrynic acid (Edecrin®)Amiloride (Midamor)Medicines for high cholesterolHigh cholesterol can clog your arteries and make it harder for blood to flow throughout your body. This lack of blood flow damages your kidneys and can lead to kidney failure over time.1,12
Statins are drugs that help lower cholesterol. They are commonly prescribed for people with high cholesterol. Some examples of statins are:1,12
Atorvastatin (Lipitor®)Fluvastatin (Lescol®)Rosuvastatin (Crestor®)Simvastatin (Zocor®)Medicines for heart diseaseThe heart is another organ affected by kidney damage. CKD can lead to heart disease. Medicines used to treat heart disease include:1
ACE inhibitors/ARBsBeta-blockersDiureticsPotassium bindersSGLT2 inhibitorsMedicines for high potassiumWhen your kidneys are damaged, potassium builds up in your body. Too much potassium can hurt your heart. Potassium binders help get rid of extra potassium. Examples include:1,14
Patiromer (Veltassa™)Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate®, Kionex®)Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (Lokelma®)Medicines for swelling (edema)Swelling is a common side effect of kidney disease. This happens because the kidneys are not able to excrete water as well, and it builds up in the body. Diuretics can help get rid of excess water.1,2
Medicines for goutKidney disease puts you at increased risk of developing gout. Gout occurs because of a buildup of uric acid in the body. If you are dealing with gout, your doctor may prescribe you drugs that reduce uric acid buildup and help reduce the symptoms.15,16
Drugs to treat gout may include:15,16
Allopurinol (Aloprim®, Lopurin, Zyloprim®)Febuxostat (Uloric®)Colchicine (Colcrys®, Gloperba®, Mitigare®)Steroids (Prednisone)Medicines for anemiaHealthy kidneys make a hormone called erythropoietin. This hormone tells the body to make red blood cells. When kidneys are not working as they should, there is less erythropoietin. This can lead to a low red blood cell count, which is called anemia.1,2
Anemia causes weakness and fatigue. Medicines to treat anemia include:1,2,17
Iron supplementsErythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) – epoetin alfa (Epogen®), darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp®), and othersHypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors (HIF-PHIs) – daprodustat (Jesduvroq®)Daprodustat is the first HIF-PHI approved to treat anemia in CKD. It is approved for people who he received dialysis for at least 4 months. It works by triggering cells to make more erythropoietin.17,18
Medicines for bone problemsKidney disease increases the chance of developing bone problems, including osteodystrophy. This can make your bones weak and brittle, leading to bone breaks or fractures. The following medicines can help keep bones healthy:1,2
Calcium supplementsVitamin D supplementsPhosphate bindersAlways check with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter supplements.
Medicines for lupus nephritisLupus is a chronic condition that causes inflammation in different areas of the body. When lupus affects the kidneys, it is called lupus nephritis.19
Lupus nephritis is usually treated with drugs that block the immune system. Your doctor may prescribe one or a combination of the following drugs to treat lupus nephritis:19
SteroidsDrugs that stop inflammation brought on by the immune system (immunosuppressive drugs)Monoclonal antibodiesACE inhibitors and ARBsDiureticsOther medicines to treat chronic kidney diseaseResearchers he identified new medicines that could change the way CKD is treated. A few of these medicines are:4,20-22
Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa®) – reduces heart issues, including heart attacks, in people with advanced kidney diseaseTirzepatide (Mounjaro®) – helps lower blood sugarBudesonide (Tarpeyo™) – helps reduce protein levels in pee to treat Berger’s disease (IgA nephropathy)Understanding your medicinesBefore you start taking any new medicine for your kidney disease, talk with your doctor. Be sure you understand what the medicine does and how to take it. Tell your doctor or healthcare team if you he any questions or concerns.
Learn more about:
Who treats chronic kidney diseaseGlossary of terms