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Medications for Kidney Stones

by Michael Jubinville, MPH

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Here are the basics about each of the medicines below. Only the most common reactions are listed. Ask your doctor if you need to take any special steps. Use each of these drugs as advised by your doctor or the booklet they came with. If you have any questions, call your doctor.

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs can ease pain.

Over-the-counter and prescription NSAIDs:

Ibuprofen
Naproxen

Prescription NSAIDs:

Diclofenac
Indomethacin

Some problems are:

Belly pain, cramps, or discomfort
Heartburn or indigestion
Nausea or vomiting
Gastrointestinal(GI) bleeding
Rash

Prescription Opioids

Opioids are used to treat pain.

Common names:

Hydromorphone
Morphine

Some problems are:

Lightheadedness
Nausea and vomiting
Drowsiness
Constipation
Insomnia
Depression
Headache
Sweating

Medicines to Prevent Kidney Stones

Other health problems can put you at high risk for getting kidney stones. These can also lower the risk of kidney stones:

Potassium Citrate

Common names:

Polycitra-K
Urocit-K

Citrates are used to make urine less acidic. This may help keep some types of stones form forming.

Allopurinol

Common name: Zyloprim

This medicine lowers the amount of uric acid in the blood to treat gout. It will also lower the risk of uric acid stones.

Hydrochlorothiazide

Common names:

Esidrix
Hydro-chlor
Hydro-D
HydroDIURIL
Microzide
Oretic

This medicine is a diuretic. It is mainly used to treat high blood pressure. This also lowers the amount of calcium in the urine which can keep calcium stones from forming.

Acetohydroxamic Acid

Common name: Lithostat

This medicine is used with antibiotics to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs that can result in struvite stones. It is not used for a long time because of side effects such as deep vein thrombosis and hemolytic anemia.

Cellulose Sodium Phosphate

Common name: Calcibind

This helps prevent calcium stones in people who take in too much calcium from the GI tract.

Mercaptopropionylglycine

Common names:

Tiopronin
Thiola

This is used to control cystine stones from forming.

Penicillamine

Common names:

Cuprimine
Depen

Penicillamine is used to treat cystine stones.

Special Considerations

If you are taking medicine:

Take medicine as directed. Do not change the amount or the schedule.
Ask what side effects could occur. Report them to your doctor.
Talk to your doctor before you stop taking any prescription medicine.
Do not share your prescription medicine.
Medicine can be dangerous when mixed. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking more than one medicine. This includes over-the-counter products and supplements.
Plan for refills as needed.

When to Contact Your Doctor

Call your doctor right away for:

Problems thinking clearly
Mood changes
Muscle spasms
Irregular heartbeat
Numbness of arms and legs—peripheral neuropathy
Bruising
Rash
Weakness

References:

Kidney stones. National Kidney Foundation website. Available at: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneystones. Accessed April 2, 2019.

Kidney stones. Urology Care Foundation website. Available at: https://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/kidney-stones. Accessed April 2, 2019.

Nephrolithiasis in adults. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.... Updated March 22, 2019. Accessed April 2, 2019.

Treatment for kidney stones. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/kidney-stones/treatment. Updated May 2017. Accessed April 2, 2019.

Urinary calculi. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/genitourinary-disorders/urinary-calculi/urinary-calculi. Updated March 2018. Accessed April 2, 2019.

Last reviewed March 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrienne Carmack, MD
Last Updated: 4/2/2019

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