Medicines and Products for Kidney Stones

Medicines for kidney stones relieve pain, help stones pass, and prevent new ones. They should follow a doctor's assessment.

Pain relief

• NSAIDs (diclofenac, ketorolac, ibuprofen): very effective for stone pain, but avoid them in kidney disease, stomach ulcers, heart disease, pregnancy, dehydration or when advised against
• Paracetamol: safer when NSAIDs cannot be used
• Stronger painkillers: only in hospital or as prescribed

Anti-nausea medicines

Prescribed when vomiting is troublesome.

Medical expulsive therapy

Alpha-blockers such as tamsulosin are sometimes prescribed to relax the ureter and help a stone pass. Benefit is mainly for larger ureteric stones and varies. Side effects include dizziness and low blood pressure.

Antibiotics

Only needed when a urinary infection is present. Infected, blocked kidneys are emergencies.

Stone prevention medicines

• Potassium citrate raises urine citrate and may dissolve uric acid stones
• Thiazide diuretics lower urine calcium
• Allopurinol or febuxostat for uric acid and high uric acid
• Specific medicines for cystine stones
• Treatment of hyperparathyroidism or other causes

Cautions

• Do not use herbal "stone-dissolving" tablets or syrups as a replacement for treatment
• Avoid calcium or vitamin C supplements unless advised
• Do not self-medicate with repeated painkillers
• Pregnant women and children need a doctor's guidance for all medicines
• Tell your doctor about all medicines and supplements

Key point

Painkillers and tamsulosin help symptoms. Preventive medicines are chosen by stone type and blood and urine tests.

Before your appointment

Note when the pain began, where it is, and whether you have noticed blood, fever, nausea or burning in your urine. Record how much you drink and pass urine in a day. List medicines and supplements, especially vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium and herbal products. Mention previous stones, gout, bowel surgery, urinary infections and family history. Bring earlier scans and reports. If you pass a stone, save it for analysis. Ask about tests, the stone type and a prevention plan. Call 112 for fever with pain or if you pass no urine.