Which medications are commonly used to treat kidney stones?

Doctor's Answers 1

Medications to treat kidneys stones are used for 2 purposes

  1. Dissolving uric acid stones
  2. Prevention of recurrence of kidneys stones

Dissolution of stones

Kidneys stones are made of various mineral compositions. 5-10% of kidneys stones are composed of uric acid. Only uric acid stones can be dissolved with medications. All other types of kidney stones such as calcium oxalate stones (the most common variety) cannot be dissolved with medication, and require other types of treatment.

Uric acid stones can be dissolved by alkalinising the urine, bring the pH of the urine to above 6.5.

Medications that can alkalinise urine include Potassium citrate and Sodium bicarbonate. If the patient also has gout or high uric acid in his blood, Allopurinol is a medication that can lower the uric acid level in the blood. It is also important to institute dietary changes to reduce purine rich foods such as alcohol and organ meats.

Prevention of recurrence of stones

After experiencing a painful stone, there is up to 50% chance of having another stone event within the next 5 years.

Blood and urine tests and analysis of stones that have been passed, can be done to look abnormalities that can contribute to stone recurrences, and dietary changes and medications to treat these abnormalities are tailored for the individual patient.

Examples

Citrate attaches to calcium in the urine preventing the formation of mineral crystals that form stones. For stone formers found to be low in citrate, increasing intake of citrus fruits or taking regular potassium citrate can correct this deficiency, and reduce the chance of stone recurrence. This is also helpful to prevent calcium oxalate and uric stones.

For people with high calcium levels in the urine or calcium phosphate stones, thiazide diuretics lower urinary calcium, and urine pH, to help reduce recurrence of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones.

In summary, the prevention of stones is individualised to the patient and requires finding out the metabolic abnormalities that predispose a person to stone formation. Thereafter dietary changes should be made to overcome these abnormalities. This may sometimes be accompanied by taking medications directed at these abnormalities if dietary changes alone are not enough to correct the metabolic abnormalities.

Similar Questions

What kinds of crowns may be used for an upper premolar (fifth tooth) after root canal treatment?

These are the materials that may be used for an upper premolar crown: Lithium disilicate A type of aesthetic and translucent porcelain that can be made with layers to mimic the appearance of a natural tooth. This material requires the greatest amount of thickness to withstand cracking and to give the best appearance. This material can also be used for partial crowns (onlays). Zirconia Another type of very dense and hard porcelain that can be used in thinner section without compromising strength. This material is also used for the blades of ceramic knives.

Photo of Dr Jaclyn Toh

Answered By

Dr Jaclyn Toh

Dentist

How can I reduce the calcium content in my blood if I have an overactive parathyroid and recurrent kidney stones?

The cause of your kidney stones could in fact be due to high calcium levels resulting from an overactive parathyroid gland, (or hyperparathyroidism). The parathyroid gland produces the hormone PTH, which increases calcium levels in your body. Normally, when calcium levels in your blood fall too low, your parathyroid glands secrete PTH to restore the balance. PTH raises calcium levels by releasing calcium from your bones and increasing the amount of calcium absorbed from your small intestine. When blood calcium levels are too high, the parathyroid glands produce less PTH.

Photo of Human

Answered By

Human

Ask any health question for free

I’m not so sure about a procedure...

Ask Icon Ask a Question

Join Human

Sign up now for a free Human account to get answers from specialists in Singapore.

Sign Up

Get The Pill

Be healthier with our Bite-sized health news straight in your inbox