According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, kidney stones are one of the most frequently occurring urinary tract problems. In the United States, nearly three million people each year go to a health care provider because of trouble with kidney stones. Metabolic disorders that lead to excessive amounts of uric acid, oxalate salts, or cystine in the urine are a major cause of kidney stones. Doctors can prescribe medications that can prevent the formation of kidney stones.
Hydrochlorothiazide
Doctors prescribe the thiazide diuretic hydrochlorothiazide to prevent the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. This type of kidney stone accounts for about half of all cases diagnosed in the United States. Hydrochlorothiazide keeps the concentration of calcium in the urine low by diminishing the amount of calcium that the kidneys allow to pass into the urine. When patients take this diuretic, much of the calcium in their blood is directed to their bones and thus is retained by the body and not lost to the urine. During therapy with hydrochlorothiazide, patients should be on a low-sodium diet. Common side effects include muscle weakness, dizziness, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Penicillamine
Penicillamine is a prescription medication that can help to prevent kidney stones, according to MayoClinic.com. It works by keeping the concentration of cystine in the urine low enough so that it stays dissolved and does not crystallize to form kidney stones. Patients should take this drug on an empty stomach, and drink at least 32 ounces of water nightly while on penicillamine therapy. Dietary supplements that contain iron may interfere with the action of this drug, so patients who must take an iron supplement should wait at least two hours before taking penicillamine.
This medication can cause adverse effects in the lungs. Therefore, patients who experience difficulty breathing or who develop a cough for no apparent reason should contact their doctor without delay. Penicillamine may also lower white blood cell and platelet counts, leading to symptoms such as fever, sore throat, chills, and bruising or bleeding.
Allopurinol
According to MedlinePlus, allopurinol is a prescription medication that is used in the treatment of patients whose kidney stones are caused by excessive amounts of uric acid in the urine. It is in the xanthine oxidase inhibitor class of drugs, and its mechanism of action involves decreasing uric acid synthesis in the body. Allopurinol is supplied as a tablet that patients take once or twice a day after eating. It is important for patients to drink plenty of fluids each day while taking this drug. Common side effects of allopurinol include upset stomach, diarrhea and drowsiness.
