Your Child & Chronic Kidney Disease
An introductory manual for families

High-visibility version

MEDICATIONS FOR TREATING RENAL FAILURE

Various medicines or drugs are used in the treatment of chronic kidney disease. Each child has different requirements and these will be explained to you in more detail by your doctor at the hospital.

IMPORTANT POINTS

1. Be sure you understand how the medicine should be taken.
2. Do ask questions about what the medicines are for and what are the side effects.
3. Some medicines are difficult to obtain. You should make sure you can get a supply either from the hospital or from the local pharmacist.
4. You should have an up to date list of all the medicines that your child is on at all times. This is very important in the event of an emergency. Remember to take your list to clinic in case any changes need to be made.
5. All patients with chronic kidney disease should carry an information card and consider a medic alert bracelet, particularly while on steroid drugs after a renal transplant.
6. Make sure that other doctors and dentists who treat your child are aware of his/her medications.
7. Paracetamol is the only recommended medicine for headaches or pain relief. Please contact your Renal Unit if other medicines are being considered.

WARNING ABOUT MEDICINES

1. Dialysis and transplant patients must discuss other medicines, supplements or homeopathic remedies with their doctor.
2. Prescribed drugs must be taken regularly as directed. If the prescribed times are inconvenient for school or family life please discuss this with your school or hospital doctor.
3. Most drugs are released from the body through the kidney so many drugs may not be safe for patients with damaged kidneys.
4. Parents should never allow a chemist to substitute another drug for one that is prescribed without first consulting the doctor.

Always keep medications in a safe place out of reach of young children.

TEETH

Good dental care is essential and regular check ups at the dentist are advised.

NKF Controlled Document No. 170, Your Child & Chronic Kidney Disease — An introductory manual for families — Medications for treating Renal Failure, written 12 June 2004. Last reviewed 1 December 2008.

Content compiled by members of the Children’s Renal & Urology Unit, QMC Campus, Nottingham University Hospitals.

The National Kidney Federation cannot accept responsibility for information provided. The above is for guidance only. Patients are advised to seek further information from their own doctor.

The National Kidney Federation is registered in England and Wales as a Company limited by guarantee (Company No 5272349) and awarded charitable status (Charity Number 1106735). Give as You Earn contributions No. CAF GY511.

Registered Office:- The Point, Coach Road, Shireoaks, Worksop, Notts S81 8BW, Tel: (01909) 544999, Fax: (01909) 481723, Helpline: (0845) 601 02 09, E-mail: Follow us on

This website is intended for UK residents only.
If you have any comments about this site, please EMAIL the webmaster