Medicines that increase the risk of kidney stones

Some medicines make it more likely that you will develop a specific type of kidney stone.¹

Calcium stones

Medicines that make you more likely to develop calcium stones include:

• Loop diuretics, such as furosemide (Lasix) and acetazolamide (Diamox).
• Antacids, such as aluminum hydroxide (Alugel).
• Glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone (Decadron).
• Theophylline, such as Theodur.

Vitamins C and D can increase your risk of calcium stones when you take more than the daily recommendations.

Uric acid stones

Medicines that make you more likely to develop uric acid stones include:

• Thiazides, such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ).
• Aspirin products (salicylates).
• Antigout medicine, such as probenecid (Benemid).

Medicines that actually make stones

Some medicines will result in your body making kidney stones. These include:

• Potassium-sparing diuretics, such as triamterene (Dyrenium).
• Antivirals, such as acyclovir (Zovirax).
• Protease inhibitors, such as indinavir sulfate (Crixivan).

Citations

1. Bihl G, Meyers A (2001). Recurrent renal stone disease-Advances in pathogenesis and clinical management. Lancet, 358(9282): 651–656.

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