Nephrotic syndrome is usually successfully treated with a combination of medicines.

Medication Choices

Medicines to treat nephrotic syndrome include:

• Corticosteroids, such as prednisone or prednisolone, to reduce swelling.
• Albumin, to restore blood volume.
• Diuretics, such as bumetanide or furosemide, to help maintain fluid balance.
• Cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, or CellCept, when treatment with corticosteroids is not successful.

Most children are successfully treated with corticosteroids, though relapses are common.⁷

Clinical trials are ongoing to test more effective medicines for the treatment of steroid-resistant (relapsing) nephrotic syndrome. Ask your doctor about information on clinical trials if treatment has not successfully controlled your nephrotic syndrome. To participate in a clinical trial, you may need to travel to a large treatment center.

What To Think About

Most children who have nephrotic syndrome do well with treatment and have a normal life expectancy. Children older than age 12 at the time of diagnosis and adults who also have diabetes or high blood pressure do not respond as well to treatment as do children younger than 12.