Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Kidney stone medicines: pain relief, NSAID cautions, tamsulosin, antibiotics and stone-prevention medicines.
Medicines for kidney stones relieve pain, help stones pass, and prevent new ones. They should follow a doctor's assessment.
Pain relief
Anti-nausea medicines
Prescribed when vomiting is troublesome.
Medical expulsive therapy
Alpha-blockers such as tamsulosin are sometimes prescribed to relax the ureter and help a stone pass. Benefit is mainly for larger ureteric stones and varies. Side effects include dizziness and low blood pressure.
Antibiotics
Only needed when a urinary infection is present. Infected, blocked kidneys are emergencies.
Stone prevention medicines
Cautions
Key point
Painkillers and tamsulosin help symptoms. Preventive medicines are chosen by stone type and blood and urine tests.
Before your appointment
Note when the pain began, where it is, and whether you have noticed blood, fever, nausea or burning in your urine. Record how much you drink and pass urine in a day. List medicines and supplements, especially vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium and herbal products. Mention previous stones, gout, bowel surgery, urinary infections and family history. Bring earlier scans and reports. If you pass a stone, save it for analysis. Ask about tests, the stone type and a prevention plan. Call 112 for fever with pain or if you pass no urine.
Written By
Dr. Daksh
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
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