Your kidneys eliminate wastes from the body and play a key role in making red blood cells as well.
Additionally, kidneys keep a balance between fluids, minerals, salts, etc. in the body.
They also help with the formation of vitamin D in the body.
However, there are some medications to avoid with chronic kidney disease as they interfere with and deteriorate the overall functioning of the kidneys.
That is why, a natural treatment for CKD has garnered attention from everyone in the recent past.
Certain medicines have been shown to weaken kidney functions in CKD patients.
For example, certain medicines block the urine flow or cause swelling in the kidneys.
On the contrary, certain medicines have been shown to aggravate the symptoms in CKD patients.
These kinds of medicines are the medications to avoid with CKD.
Some of the CKD medications to avoid are:
1. Heartburn Medications or PPIs (Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid, and Protonix)
These medications (Aciphex, Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid) are widely used to treat heartburn, ulcers, and acid reflux.
Consuming these medicines lowers the amount of acid in the stomach, however, there are credible scientific studies that have shown a direct link between the consumption of these medicines and a higher risk of renal failure.
2. Diabetes Medications
Certain diabetes medications such as Metformin are not actively recommended for diabetics.
People with advanced kidney dysfunction may have a higher risk of lactic acidosis (a condition where there is a buildup of high levels of lactic acid in the blood) if they consume Metformin regularly.
This condition can be life-threatening too.
Metformin is one of the medications to avoid with chronic kidney disease.
3. Cholesterol medications
Specific cholesterol medications like statins effectively treat high cholesterol levels in the body.
However, a study suggests that a high dose of this medicine can cause kidney damage in chronic kidney disease patients.
4. Pain Medications
Long-term usage of painkillers and over-the-counter prescription pills has been linked with significant kidney damage.
Many analgesics (pain medicines) have been shown to discourage blood flow towards the kidneys.
This reduces the overall functioning of our kidneys and worsen the symptoms of CKD patients. Painkillers are medications to avoid with CKD.
5. Antacids
Antacids are generally safe, however, a disproportionate use of this class of medicines can harm your kidney health significantly.
Some antacids like Maalox can result in acute kidney failure if taken for a prolonged period.
PPI-based antacids can also negatively impact the kidneys’ abilities to filter blood and cause kidney injuries too.
Antacids are also CKD medications to avoid if your kidney damage is severe.
6. Oral Blood Thinners
Anticoagulants or blood thinners interfere with and reduce the blood’s ability to clot.
Some oral anticoagulants or blood thinners can result in serious kidney damage.
It is called anticoagulant-related nephropathy (ARN). This condition is life-threatening.
Additionally, renal function decline is common in those taking oral blood thinners.
7. Epilepsy Drugs
Studies have shown that some antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can harm the functioning of the kidneys and can result in conditions such as metabolic acidosis, hyponatremia, nephrolithiasis, and interstitial nephritis.
Epilepsy drugs like Carbamazepine, Valproic acid, Phenobarbital, Ethosuximide, Gabapentin, Lamotrigine, Levetiracetam, and Injectable lorazepam have been linked with declining renal functions and a few renal diseases as well.
8. Laxatives for Colonoscopy
Studies have shown that some prescription laxatives formulated for colonoscopies are harmful to the kidneys.
These laxatives, called sodium phosphate (OSP) products, can result in phosphate nephropathy, which can cause permanent and life-threatening side effects in kidney diseases in some cases.
9. Anti-biotic, Anti-Virus, and Anti-Fungus Medications
Anti-biotic, Anti-Virus, and Anti-Fungus Medications are also medications to avoid with CKD.
A lot of anti-fungal, antibiotic, and antiviral medications are filtered by our kidneys.
If your kidney functions are already compromised, then it will be better that you consult with your doctor before consuming these medicines.
Natural Treatment for CKD involves the use of Ayurvedic herbs, diet recommendations, and lifestyle changes to treat chronic kidney disease. Unlike the CKD medications to avoid with CKD, Ayurvedic herbs do not cause any side effects and they treat the disease effectively too. Some effective medicines to treat chronic kidney disease are:
1. Punarnava
Punarnava is loaded with anti-spasmodic, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
This herb prevents inflammation of the kidney tissues and helps with the rejuvenation of the kidney tissues too.
Regularly consuming this herb can strengthen kidney functions in CKD patients.
2. Gokshura
Gokshura clears excess uric acid from the body and helps strengthen renal functions.
This Ayurvedic herb also prevents the formation of kidney stones, as it has anti-lithiasis properties.
3. Shatavari
The rejuvenating properties of Shatavari promote the regeneration of damaged kidney tissues.
This herb also helps prevent the formation of cysts in the kidneys.
The diuretic properties of Shatavari aid our kidneys in flushing out toxins from the body effectively.
Natural treatment for CKD is incomplete without diet changes and home remedies.
Some often-recommended lifestyle changes for CKD patients are:
CKD is a serious disease and if you are on certain medications, you need to be extra careful.
CKD medications to avoid being discussed in this article should be consumed with extreme caution if you are suffering from chronic kidney disease so that you do not aggravate your health issues.
Karma Ayurveda is one of the leading Ayurvedic hospitals in the country.
Led by Dr. Puneet Dhawan, the leading Ayurvedic kidney expert, our hospital has treated thousands of patients so far and continues to provide a treatment that is potent and affordable.
Book your appointment to start treatment for CKD.
Certificate no- AH-2023-0186
JAN 05,2023-JAN 04,2026
