Medications
People with chronic kidney disease often take a variety of medications to help manage their disease.
If patients have concerns about their medications, they should always talk to their doctor and/or pharmacist. Please note, the information provided on this website is designed to help you understand how the medications you are taking work, possible side effects and precautions. It is not a substitute for talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you:
- Are having side effects
- Forget to take your medications
- Do not know why you are taking a medication
- Think your medication is not working
- Run out of your medication
- Have changes to your medications from another doctor
Every time you come to clinic, please bring:
- All of your medications
- Any over-the-counter drugs
- Herbals and vitamins
- An updated medication list
Medication Information for Renal Patients
Anemia/Low Blood Count: Information for Patients
What is anemia? What are the symptoms of anemia? Tiredness Weakness Headache Shortness of breathLow…
Azathioprine
Click for Printable PDF What is it? Azathioprine is used to treat various types of…
Changes to Your Non-Renal Medications or Changing Pharmacies
Click for Printable PDF When you see a doctor outside of the dialysis unit (for…
Coughs, Colds & the Flu
Information for People with Kidney Disease Click for Printable PDF Introduction The common cold is…
Cyclophosphamide
Click for Printable PDF What is it? Cyclophosphamide can be used to treat various types…
Cyclosporine
Click for Printable PDF What is it? Cyclosporine can be used to treat various types…
Dialysis and Over-the-Counter Medications
Click for Printable PDF Allergy Medications (also called Antihistamines) It is safe to take most…
Fish Oil Capsules for IgA Nephropathy
Click for Printable PDF What is it? Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids. There are two…
Fragmin Injection Technique
Click for Printable PDF
Giving Yourself a Needle (Subcutaneous Injection)
Click for Printable PDF
Hepatitis B: Information for Patients
Click for Printable PDF What is hepatitis B? Hepatitis B is a virus that attacks…
Kayexalate
With the return of the winter season, we would like to remind you of the…
Medicines to stop taking on sick days
Mycophenolate (Cellcept®)
Parathyroidectomy for Renal Patients
Phosphorous
Click for Printable PDF Why do we worry about phosphorus blood levels? Phosphorus and calcium…
Prednisone
Click for Printable PDF What is it? Prednisone will decrease the inflammation in your kidneys…
Tacrolimus (Prograf® or Advagraf®)
Vitamin D pills: Calcitriol (Rocaltrol®) & Alfacalcidol (One Alpha®)
Other Helpful Links
The BC Renal Agency lists medications and corresponding information sheets
MyMedRec iPhone App that helps you keep track of your medications