10 most common tablets for CKD
We will now go through what are the 10 most common tablets for CKD. They are in alphabetical order and all drugs are oral unless stated.
1x = 1 times a day
2x = 2 times a day etc
1. Alkali
E.g. Sodium bicarbonate (500mg 2x, to 2g 3x/day)
2. Blood pressure (BP) tablets
E.g. Ramipril (2.5-10mg 1x/day)
Losartan (25-100mg 1x)
Bisoprolol (2.5-10mg 1x)
Amlodipine (2.5-10mg 1x)
Doxazosin (2mg 1x, to 8mg 2x
Hydralazine (12.5mg 2x, to 100mg 3x).
Having normal (or better low) BP is the single most useful treatment for CKD. Aim for under 130/80 all the time (at home, GP or hospital)”
3. Calcimimetic (mimics action of calcium on the tissues)
E,g. Cinacalcet (30mg 1x/day)
4. Cholesterol tablet
E.g. Atorvastatin (10-80mg 1x/day)
5. Diuretics (‘water tablets’)
E.g. Bendroflumethazide (2.5-10 mg 1x/day)
Furosemide (20mg 1x, to 250mg 2x/day)
Bumetanide (1mg 1x, to 5mg 2x/day)
6. Erythropoeitin (EPO)
Darbepoetin alfa (e.g. 30mcg subcut 1x week) or Roxadustat (e.g. 100mg 3x/week)
Iron supplementation
These can be given as tablets or injections – might also be necessary, as iron deficiency is common in CKD patients. They will help EPO to work.
7. Gout (prophylaxis, i.e. prevention)
E.g. Allopurinol (100mg 1x day (not 300mg))
8. Phosphate binders
E.g. Calcium acetate (475mg 3x/day, with food)
9. ‘Renoprotective’ (kidney protective’ tablets)
ACE inhibitors (e.g. Ramipril; 2.5-10mg 1x/day) and ARB antagonists (e.g. Losartan; 25-100mg 1x/day)
These are blood pressure tablets that have a special effect on the kidneys as they reduce protein levels in the urine, which is damaging. Ask your doctor to be considered for one, if you are not on one.
Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (e.g. Dapagliflozin 10mg 1x/day)
These are a newish class of drugs that reduce blood glucose levels by increasing urinary glucose excretion. But they have also been shown to be useful for many patients with CKD, especially if there is alot of protein in your urine (with or without diabetes). Again, ask your GP if you are not on one
10. Vitamin D
E.g. Alfacalcidol (0.25-1.0mcg 1x/day).
Other drugs
Diabetes
There is now a large range of tablets and injection used to treat diabetes in patients with CKD. There is more information on them here on the Diabetes UK website.
Note. Metformin (a biguanide) – is commonly used for Type 2 Diabetes. But you should stop metformin if the eGFR is below 30 ml/min (CKD3B) (or a creatinine >200 mcml/L) – because of the risk of lactic acidosis.
Summary
We have described what are the 10 most common tablets for CKD. Even though you may end up on many of these, their combined effects are very beneficial for your kidneys. We hope it has been helpful.
Other resource
10 top tips for good prescribing
This article was reviewed by Clare Morlidge, Renal Pharmacist, Lister Hospital.
Last Reviewed on 19 April 2024