Kidney stones are one of the most painful urologic disorders. Almost 3 million visits to health care providers and more than half a million emergency rooms visits are made for kidney stone problems each year, notes National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearing House, or NKUDIC. A kidney stone is a hard mass made from crystals that separate from urine in the urinary tract. Normally, urine contains chemicals that prevent or inhibit the crystals from forming. If these crystals remain small, they can pass out of the body in urine unnoticed, but if the stone is large, extreme pain in the back and abdomen can occur, as well as nausea and vomiting as the body tries to force the stone through the urinary track and out of the body, according to NKUDIC. There are a variety of possible causes of kidney stones, including certain medications that are associated with their formation.
Indinavir
Indinavir, also known as Crixivan, is a protease inhibitor that blocks HIV-protease which results in HIV being unable to infect new cells, according to AIDS Treatment Data Network, or ATDN. The most common side effect of taking Indinavir is the development of kidney stones, which are caused by a 'sludge' in the kidneys that the medication forms. If individuals taking this medication experience back or side pain they should seek medical help because there is a possibility that kidney stones can result in damage to the kidney, which can lead to renal failure, notes ATDN. Recent reports show that kidney stones may happen more often in women than men on this medication, reports ATDN.
Diuretics
Some diuretics, known as water pills and commonly used in the treatment of high blood pressure, may increase the risk of forming kidney stones because with these medications the amount of calcium in the urine is increase, notes NKUDIC. The most common type of kidney stone contains calcium in combination with either oxalate or phosphate, notes Medicine Net, so increasing calcium in urine increases to the building blocks needed for the formation of kidney stones. Thiazides are diuretics that cause potassium loss, which reduces the levels of citrate in the urine and increase the risk of stone formation. However, it is important to note that some diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide decrease the amount of calcium in the urine by favoring calcium retention in bone and are sometimes prescribed to treat or prevent kidney stones.
Antacids
Antacids are normally taken by mouth to relieve heartburn and indigestion by neutralizing excess stomach acid, notes Mayo Clinic. Calcium-based antacids may increase the risk of forming kidney stones by increasing the amount of calcium in the urine, according to NKUDIC. Antacids are supposed to be taken for a short duration, and side effects, like the increased risk of kidney stones, occur after prolonged or excessive use. Interestingly, aluminum carbonate and aluminum hydroxide antacids can be used to prevent the formation of some types of kidney stones, notes Mayo Clinic.
