Potassium Citrate

Common names include:

• Polycitra-K
• Urocit-K

Citrates are used to make the urine more alkaline; this helps prevent the formation of some kinds of kidney stones. Do not eat salty foods or use salt or salt substitutes while taking this medicine. Check with your doctor before you begin any strenuous exercise, especially if you are not physically fit or if you are taking other medicines. Notify your doctor immediately if you notice black, tarry stools. This could be a sign of intestinal bleeding. This drug should not be used in children. It should also not be used if you have:

• Urinary tract infection
• High level of blood potassium (hyperkalemia)

Possible side effects include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain

Allopurinol

Common name: Zyloprim

This medicine reduces the amount of uric acid in the blood. This helps to control gout and to minimize the formation of uric acid kidney stones. This medicine should be taken with food to avoid an upset stomach. Drink a full glass of water with each dose, and do not take vitamin C supplements while on this medicine. Use this drug with care if you have:

• Kidney disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure

Possible side effects include:

• Drowsiness
• Rash
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Liver dysfunction

Hydrochlorothiazide

Common names include:

• Esidrix
• Hydro-chlor
• Hydro-D
• HydroDIURIL
• Microzide
• Oretic

Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic and is usually used to treat high blood pressure. It also helps to decrease the amount of calcium released by the kidneys into the urine. In addition, it is used to prevent the formation of calcium-containing stones. Diuretics can cause the body to lose potassium, so your doctor may want you to eat certain foods or take a potassium supplement to make up for this loss. This medicine can also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. This drug should not be used in the following conditions:

• Severe kidney or liver disease
• Low blood potassium or sodium
• Increased blood calcium (hypercalcemia)
• Addison’s disease

Possible side effects include:

• Low blood pressure
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Low blood potassium
• Upset stomach
• Irregular heartbeat
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea or vomiting
• Weakness

Acetohydroxamic Acid

Common name: Lithostat

This medicine is used in combination with antibiotics to prevent urinary tract infections that lead to the formation of struvite kidney stones. This drug should not be used in pregnancy or during breastfeeding. Since this drug is associated with a high rate of side effects, such as deep vein thrombosis and hemolytic anemia, its use is limited.

Possible side effects include:

• Nausea
• Rash
• Hair loss
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Nervousness

Cellulose Sodium Phosphate

Common name: Calcibind

This medicine is used to prevent the formation of calcium-containing kidney stones in people who absorb too much calcium from the gastrointestinal tract by binding calcium. Take this medicine at mealtime, and drink at least 8 glasses of water a day while on this medicine. Avoid dairy products, vitamin C supplements, salty foods, and foods high in oxalate. To learn more about a low-oxalate diet, click here.

Tell your doctor if you are currently taking calcium supplements or antacids that contain either calcium or magnesium. This drug should not be used in:

• Children under the age of 16 years
• People who have certain conditions (eg, severe kidney disease, low blood calcium or magnesium, osteoporosis, or hyperactive parathyroid tumor)

Possible side effects include:

• Drowsiness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Magnesium deficiency symptoms
• Weakness

Mercaptopropionylglycine

Common names include:

• Tiopronin
• Thiola

This medicine is used to control the formation of cystine stones.

Possible side effects include:

• Loss of taste
• Upset stomach

Penicillamine

Common names include:

• Cuprimine
• Depen

Penicillamine is used to treat cystine stones. Since this drug can cause suppression of bone marrow and serious kidney disease, your doctor will be regularly monitoring your blood and urine. This drug should not be used in pregnancy.

Possible side effects include:

• Rash
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Loss of taste sensation

When to Contact Your Doctor

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any unusual symptoms, including:

• Mental confusion
• Mood changes
• Muscle spasms
• Irregular heartbeat
• Numbness of arms and legs
• Bruising
• Rash
• Weakness