How Do Nephrolithiasis Drugs Work?

Nephrolithiasis drugs are medications used to prevent the formation of kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) and to alkalinize the urine and promote base and acid elimination in the urine. Nephrolithiasis drugs work in different ways to prevent kidney stone formation.

Kidney stones form due to minerals and other substances forming crystals and getting deposited in the kidney instead of getting reabsorbed or eliminated in the urine. Nephrolithiasis drugs work in the following ways:

• Prevent cystine stone formation by making cystine more water-soluble and reducing its concentration in the urine. Cystine is an amino acid that is a building block for most proteins.
• Prevent calcium stone formation by binding to the calcium in the urine.
• Prevent the formation of urate crystals from uric acid by raising the pH level and alkalinizing the urine.

Nephrolithiasis drugs are administered as oral tablets or solutions, approved by the FDA to treat the following conditions:

• Prevention of nephrolithiasis
• Alkalinization of the urine

Side effects of nephrolithiasis drugs may include the following:

• Nausea
• Oral ulcers
• Diarrhea/soft stools
• Fatigue
• Rash
• Arthralgia (joint pain)
• Weakness
• Emesis (vomiting)
• Metabolic alkalosis
• Proteinuria/nephrotic syndrome (excessive passing of protein in the urine)
• Decreased GFR
• Renal failure
• Fever
• Malaise
• Pain
• Back pain
• Flank pain
• Joint swelling
• Limb discomfort
• Musculoskeletal discomfort
• Neck pain
• Pain in extremities
• Myalgia (muscle pain)
• Anorexia (loss of appetite)
• Hypophagia (decreased appetite)
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Abdominal distention
• Dyspepsia (indigestion)
• Eructation (belching)
• Flatulence
• Gastrointestinal disorder
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• High levels of liver enzymes in the blood
• Jaundice
• Fluid retention
• Peripheral edema
• Chest pain
• Tetany (intermittent muscle spasms)
• Impotence
• Cough
• Ecchymosis (skin discoloration from bleeding under the skin)
• Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
• Dehydration
• Skin disorders such as:
  • Dry skin
  • Skin wrinkling
  • Urticaria (hives)
  • Pruritus (itching)
  • Pruritic rash
  • Pemphigus foliaceus (itchy blisters)
  • Skin irritation
  • Abnormal skin texture
• Anemia (low red blood cell count)
• Hypogeusia (reduced sense of taste)
• Ageusia (loss of taste)
• Dysgeusia (altered taste perception)
• Congestive heart failure
• Vertigo
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Hypoesthesia (reduced skin sensation)
• Burning sensation
• Increase in weight

Information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Generic and brand names of nephrolithiasis drugs include:

• Albrights Solution
• Bicitra
• Cytra 2
• Oracit
• Shohls Solution
• sodium citrate/citric acid
• Thiola
• Thiola EC
• tiopronin
• Tiopronin DR
• Tiopronin-K DR