Treating Kidney Stones: Medications
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medications to dissolve or prevent stones. Or medications may be prescribed to stop an infection. Once the infection is controlled, your stone can be removed.
For uric acid or cystine stones, your doctor may prescribe medications. You’ll take these for your lifetime. Medications can’t dissolve calcium oxalate stones, but often help prevent them. If you have an infection stone, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. You may take these before and after your stone is removed.
Uric acid stones are caused by too much uric acid in your urine. This can be worsened by a high-meat diet. Allopurinol reduces uric acid. The stone can be dissolved with bicarbonate, potassium citrate, or a similar drug.
Cystine stones are caused by too much cystine (an amino acid) in your urine. This condition is uncommon and inherited. Penicillamine or tiopronin reduces cystine. Bicarbonate, potassium citrate, or a similar drug dissolves cystine stones.
Infection stones are caused by kidney or bladder infections that change the chemical balance of your urine. Antibiotics control the infection and may slow the stone’s growth. Then your stone is removed. Stone infections are caused by bacteria that make an enzyme called urease. Your doctor may use a medicine to block this enzyme. Your doctor may also prescribe medications to relax the ureters and allow the stones to pass through more quickly.
Calcium stones are caused by a number of different things. If you have too much calcium in your urine, your doctor may prescribe diuretics. If your urine has too much oxalate or if your stones are from too little citrate, your doctor may give you a different medication.