Medicines and Kidney Health Hub

Learn how medications affect your kidneys.

Woman taking her medicine from a pill box at a kitchen table

Medicines that Protect Your Kidneys and Heart

Some medicines help manage blood pressure, lower blood sugar, and/or protect your kidneys and heart over time.

ACE inhibitors and ARBs help protect your kidneys and heart. They also lower blood pressure.

SGLT2 inhibitors are medicines that can help improve kidney and heart health for people living with CKD. They can also help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar.

Non-steroidal MRAs (mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists) like finerenone help protect your kidneys and lower your risk for heart disease if you also have type 2 diabetes.

GLP-1 RAs help slow CKD, lower weight, and lower heart disease risk for people with type 2 diabetes and/or obesity.

Statins help lower heart disease and stroke risk, even without high cholesterol. Discover how they benefit people living with kidney disease.

Medicines to be Careful with for Kidney Health

Learn how to safely take medicine when you have kidney disease and which medicines may harm your kidneys.

Some medicines can damage your kidneys. Many more are removed by your kidneys. Read more to learn about using medications safely when living with CKD.

Using pain medicines with kidney disease comes with risks. Read more to learn what your options are to treat your pain while maximizing your safety.

Contrast dyes used in tests like MRIs and CT scans can harm kidneys, especially in people with kidney disease. Learn how to reduce your risk.

Vaccines save lives and protect kidney patients from serious disease. Listen and learn why staying up to date is so important.

Vaccines and Kidney Disease

Vaccines protect people with kidney disease from serious infections and help prevent complications. Learn which vaccines are recommended.

Vaccines help protect people with CKD from serious complications from diseases. Learn about safety, effectiveness and addressing concerns with your healthcare provider.

Recommended vaccines for adults with advanced chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, or a kidney transplant.

Vaccines protect children from serious diseases by teaching the immune system how to recognize and fight harmful germs.

Vaccines: What Patients Need to Know (podcast)

Vaccines save lives and protect kidney patients from serious disease. Listen and learn why staying up to date is so important.

Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbal Supplements

Learn which vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements are safe or risky if you have kidney disease.

If you have kidney disease, you may need to take extra vitamins and minerals for your overall health. Read more about the latest recommendations.

People with kidney disease should be cautious with herbal supplements. Some can affect your kidneys or interact with your other medicines.

Managing Medicines for Kidney Health

Medicines are often recommended for people with kidney disease. Learn more about their role and ways to manage and pay for them.

An overview of different programs available to help you pay for your medicines and lower your medication costs.

Explore ways to save on prescriptions with discount programs and medication assistance resources.

Medicines for Related Conditions and Complications

Some people with kidney disease often need medicine for other health conditions or complications. Learn more about how and when these medicines are used.

Immunosuppressants (anti-rejection medicines), are medicines that keep kidney transplants from being attacked by the immune system.

Immunosuppressants are medicines that protect your new kidney by preventing your immune system from attacking it. Download the flyer to learn more.

Iron is a common treatment option for anemia (low red blood cells). Read more to learn about your options and what to ask at your next appointment.