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Kidney Stones: Medicines That Increase Your Risk

Topic Overview

Some medicines make it more likely that you will develop a specific type of kidney stone.

Calcium stones

Medicines that make you more likely to develop calcium stones include:

  • Loop diuretics, such as furosemide and acetazolamide.
  • Some antacids.
  • Glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone.
  • Theophylline.

Vitamins C and D can increase your risk of calcium stones when you take more than the daily recommendations.

Uric acid stones

Medicines that make you more likely to develop uric acid stones include:

  • Thiazides, such as hydrochlorothiazide.
  • Aspirin products (salicylates).
  • Gout medicine, such as probenecid.

Medicines that actually make stones

Some medicines will result in your body making kidney stones. These include:

  • Potassium-sparing diuretics, such as triamterene.
  • Antivirals, such as acyclovir.
  • Protease inhibitors, such as indinavir.

Related Information

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Tushar J. Vachharajani, MD, FASN, FACP - Nephrology
Last Revised April 28, 2011

Last Revised: April 28, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & Tushar J. Vachharajani, MD, FASN, FACP - Nephrology

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