Understanding your peritoneal dialysis medications
Medication: A brief overview
Depending on the clinical picture and the course of the disease, the doctor will prescribe some medicines that should be taken as instructed. Some common medications your doctor may prescribe include:
Phosphate binders
Due to the kidney disease, the excretion of phosphate through the kidneys is limited. Therefore, so-called phosphate binders must be taken together with protein-containing meals. The phosphate is bound and excreted through the intestines.
Vitamin D
In kidney diseases, the vitamin D metabolism is disturbed. This can lead to disturbances in bone metabolism. Vitamin D is prescribed depending on certain laboratory values.
Iron
The kidneys are indirectly involved in blood formation. The body needs iron to form red blood cells. This cannot be supplied sufficiently with food and must therefore be administered in tablet form or as an injection.
Erythropoeitin
Erythropoeitin (EPO) is a hormone for blood formation that can no longer be sufficiently produced by the diseased kidneys. EPO is usually administered subcutaneously (s. c.), i.e. it is injected under the skin.
Diuretics
Diuretics increase the excretion of urine. and thus have a blood pressure-lowering effect. They should be taken in the morning and at noon to avoid disturbing sleep.
Antihypertensive drugs
There are a large number of different substances here, which should be taken as prescribed by a doctor.
Vitamins
Water-soluble vitamins are lost through the peritoneum during treatment. These can be replaced and taken in tablet form after consultation with the doctor.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics must be taken in the prescribed dosage and for a sufficient period of time. Depending on the clinical picture antibiotics can be administered in different ways.