Kidney patients take a veritable laundry list of medications that can include immunosuppressants, statins, blood pressure medications, phosphorus binders and erythropoietin injections as well as acid reducers to calm the stomach.
Side effects are far more likely during the latter stages of kidney disease, when the kidneys are less able to filter the drug from the bloodstream. Wise patients regularly review their medications with their nephrologists. This provides an opportunity to discuss any side effects and strategies for their management.
Weight Gain
Many kidney patients have experience with short-term prednisone use. Prednisone causes a redistribution of body weight, causing a response called "moon-face" in which the face swells noticeably. MayoClinic.com notes that fat redistribution can also cause fat deposits on the abdomen and the back of the neck. This redistribution of weight is often accompanied by weight gain as prednisone can increase appetite.
Fatigue
Hypertension is a common problem among kidney patients who often must take one or more blood pressure medications. Drugs.com reports that fatigue and tiredness are the most frequent side effects of ramipril, lisinopril and losartan, which are commonly taken by kidney patients. This side effect is associated with other blood pressure medications as well.
Infections
If prednisone fails to lower the high urine protein experienced by many kidney patients, many doctors prescribe an immunosuppressant such as Cellcept, cyclosporine or tacrilomus. These drugs are also given after kidney transplant to prevent rejection of the new kidney.
Patients taking these drugs experience a weakening of the immune system and are therefore more susceptible to infection. Handwashing and avoiding large crowds where possible are good strategies to prevent illness. The U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs also recommends that patients taking immunosuppressants avoid raw oysters, sushi, raw eggs and unpasteurized milk to reduce the risk of contracting a food-borne illness.
Nausea
Nausea and stomach distress are a common side effects of Cellcept, particularly in the latter stages of kidney disease. Physicians often switch patients from Cellcept to Myfortic if this happens. Myfortic and Cellcept both contain mycophenolic acid. As explained on Myfortic.com, however, myfortic is a time-released preparation, which is a little easier on the stomach.
Member Comments