What is azathioprine (‘aza’)? Type of drug: purine synthesis blocker (antimetabolite) Use: immunosuppressant after kidney transplant; other autoimmune disease Dose: 25-150 mg once a day (1-2 mg/kg) Side-effects: gastrointestinal disorders; liver dysfunction; bone marrow suppression (causing low haemoglobin, white cells and platelets) Monitor: FBC and liver enzymes. Note 1. It is an alternative drug to […]
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What is atorvastatin? Type of drug: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, or ‘statin’ Use: hyperlipidaemia (cholesterol too high) Dose: 10-80 mg once a day Side-effects: joint and muscle pain (myositis); acute kidney injury (AKI) due to rhabdomyolysis Monitor: cholesterol. Note 1. Other statins include Simvastatin. Note 2. If muscle pain or weakness, occur during treatment, a blood test
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Life expectancy may be increased by seeing the same GP Patients with access to fully qualified GPs, higher funding of general practices and increased continuity of care, live longer according to new research. These are the key findings of a study led by Professor Richard Baker at the University of Leicester which looked at most
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What is amlodipine? Type of drug: BP tablet (calcium channel blocker) Use: high blood pressure Dose: 5-10 mg once a day Side-effects: ankle swelling, dizziness (postural hypotension) Monitor: BP. Note. Do not use in aortic stenosis (and cautiously in stable chronic heart failure, CHF) How BP tablets work – amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker
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What is alfacalcidol? Type of drug: synthetic form of Vitamin D Use: renal bone disease Dose: 0.25-1.0 mcg once a day (0.25 mcg is the usual starting dose) Side-effects: abdominal pain; headache; hypercalcaemia (high calcium level) – that you will not normally notice Monitor: calcium. Note. Other forms of vitamin D include Calcitriol, Doxercalciferol and
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What is allopurinol? Type of drug: xanthine oxidase inhibitor (reduces production of uric acid in the body) Use: gout prevention Dose: 300 mg once a day (100 mg in CKD) Side-effects: rash; bone marrow suppression (low haemoglobin, white cells and platelets) Monitor: FBC. Note 1: start between attacks of gout. Other treatments (such as NSAIDs
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What are the limitations of a creatinine blood test? What is a normal creatinine level? 60-120 mcmol/L (micromoles per litre). It is used to assess kidney function – the higher the number, the worse the function. What is creatinine? Creatinine is a metabolic product of creatine and phosphocreatine, both of which are found almost exclusively
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What are the limitations of a GFR test? “GFR is only an estimate of one aspect of kidney function and a significant error is possible.” What affects GFR apart from glomerular filtration? The GFR varies according to: Age – decreases with age. Many doctors believe GFR naturally falls by 1 ml/min per year from the age
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10 unanswered questions in kidney transplantation In this article, we will describe 10 unanswered questions in kidney transplantation. 1. Why do blood clots in the transplanted kidney artery (and vein) still occur despite anticoagulation? When blood in the blood vessels to the transplanted kidney clots, the kidney has no blood flow. It usually does not
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Empagliflozin: transforming kidney care In a recent trial, the EMPA-Kidney group, 2023 showed the significant benefits of SGLT2is in CKD patients. Why is this important? Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects millions globally, posing a risk for kidney failure and heart issues. Enter empagliflozin, initially used for diabetes but now under the spotlight for potentially safeguarding
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