Kidney Disease Treatment: Medications, Dialysis & Transplants Explained

Hearing that you have kidney disease can feel frightening and uncertain. For many, it brings uncertainty, fear, and a lot of questions.

But the good news is — there are clear treatments that can help you live a better life.

Many people ask, can kidney disease be cured? While a complete cure is rare, early diagnosis and the right care can slow its progress and manage complications.

In this guide, you’ll learn about the symptoms and treatment of kidney disease, including when medications, dialysis, or a transplant may be needed.

Let’s break it down so you can make confident and informed decisions.

Medications for Kidney Disease

Managing kidney disease often involves medications aimed at treating underlying causes, alleviating symptoms, and slowing disease progression.

Below are some common names of kidney disease medications used for these purposes. However, it's best to consult a doctor who can recommend the right medicines based on your individual condition.

Overview of Common Medications

• Blood Pressure Medications: High blood pressure can worsen kidney disease. Medications like angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) help lower blood pressure and protect kidney function.
  
  
• Diuretics: These help remove excess fluid and reduce swelling by increasing urine output.
  
  
• Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs): For patients with anaemia due to kidney disease, ESAs stimulate red blood cell production, combating fatigue and weakness.
  
  
• Phosphate Binders: To prevent bone problems, phosphate binders reduce phosphorus levels in the blood.
  
  

When Are Medications Recommended?

Medications are typically prescribed based on individual health needs, such as:

• Controlling high blood pressure or diabetes.
  
  
• Managing symptoms like swelling or anaemia.
  
  
• Slowing the progression of kidney damage.

It's essential to follow your doctor's guidance on medication use to achieve the best outcomes.

Potential Side Effects and Precautions

All medications can have side effects. For instance, ACE inhibitors might initially decrease kidney function or alter electrolyte levels. Regular monitoring through blood tests is crucial to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Always discuss any concerns or side effects with your healthcare provider to adjust treatments as needed.

When is Dialysis Required?

When your kidneys can no longer effectively filter waste and excess fluids from your blood, dialysis becomes a necessary treatment to perform these vital functions. 

What is Dialysis, and How Does It Help?

Dialysis is a medical procedure that replicates the kidney's filtering abilities, removing waste products, and excess fluids, and balancing electrolytes in your bloodstream. 

This treatment is essential for individuals with significantly reduced kidney function, helping to maintain the body's internal balance and prevent complications associated with kidney failure. 

Creatinine Levels as an Indicator for Dialysis

Creatinine is a waste product that healthy kidneys typically filter out of the blood. Elevated creatinine levels can indicate impaired kidney function. While people often ask at what creatinine level is dialysis needed, the decision to initiate dialysis isn't based solely on creatinine levels. Doctors consider various factors, including:​

• Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR): A measure of kidney function; a GFR below 15 mL/min/1.73 m² often signifies the need for dialysis.​
  
  
• Symptoms of Kidney Failure: Such as severe fatigue, fluid retention, shortness of breath, and confusion.​
  
  
• Overall Health Status: This includes the presence of other medical conditions and the patient's ability to tolerate dialysis.​
  
  

Different Types of Dialysis

There are two primary types of dialysis:​

• Hemodialysis: Involves using a machine to filter your blood outside your body. Blood is drawn from your body, filtered through a dialyzer (artificial kidney), and then returned to your body. This procedure typically takes place at a dialysis centre three times a week, with each session lasting about four hours.
  
  
• Peritoneal Dialysis: Utilizes the lining of your abdomen (peritoneum) as a natural filter. A cleansing fluid is introduced into the abdominal cavity, where it absorbs waste products from blood vessels in the peritoneum and is then drained away. 

Kidney Transplant: When & Why?

When kidney function drops below 10–15% of normal and other treatments like medication or dialysis aren’t enough, a kidney transplant may be the best option. It can offer longer life expectancy and a better quality of life than dialysis for many patients.

Doctors may suggest starting transplant evaluation before dialysis begins if the progression of kidney disease is predictable.

When is a Kidney Transplant Recommended?

A transplant is usually recommended in cases of:

• End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is where the kidneys have lost almost all function.
  
  
• Long-term dialysis patients looking for an alternative with fewer limitations.
  
  
• Younger patients or those without other major health issues who can safely undergo surgery.

Eligibility Criteria for Kidney Transplant Patients

To qualify for a transplant, patients must:

• Be healthy enough for surgery and recovery.
  
  
• Be free from active infections, cancer, or other serious medical conditions.
  
  
• Be willing and able to follow a lifelong care plan, including taking anti-rejection medication.
• Age alone is not a restriction — both younger and older patients can be eligible depending on their overall health.

Success Rates and Recovery Process

• Success rates are high, especially with living donor kidneys.
  
• A successful transplant can allow you to stop dialysis and return to a more normal lifestyle.
  
• Recovery typically takes 6–8 weeks after surgery, during which activity is limited.
  
• Patients must take immunosuppressant medications every day to prevent organ rejection.