Medication Index

Objective information on common medicamento classes for ADPKD pacientes, monitoreo requirements, nefrotoxicidad warnings, and TCM evidencia boundaries.

⚠ Important Boundaries

This page provides only objective, class-level medicamento information. It does not provide individualized prescriptions, dosing, substitution recomendacións, or self-tratamiento advice. Whether to use, how to use, and when to adjust must be decided by your nefrólogo or pharmacist based on your función renal, comorbidities, and current medicamentos. Do not start or stop medicamentos based on this page alone.

🫘 1. ADPKD-Directed Therapy

The only medicamento currently recommended by guías to slow crecimiento de quistes and función renal decline in ADPKD is tolvaptán. Whether it is appropriate must be determined by a nefrólogo based on Mayo Imaging Classification/RAAP estratificación de riesgo, hígado function, eGFR, and thirst tolerance.

Tolvaptan

Evidence A ADPKD-directed Prescription

Class: Vasopressin receptor V2 antagonist.

Mechanism: Blocks receptor V2-mediated cAMP production, inhibiting quiste epithelial célula proliferación and fluid secreción, thereby slowing TKV growth and eGFR decline.

Typical clínico scenario: Adults with high rapid-progresión riesgo (e.g., Mayo class 1C/1D, annual eGFR decline >5 mL/min).

Monitoring & Common Adverse Effects
  • Monitoring: Liver function (ALT, AST, bilirubin), serum sodio, uric acid, eGFR, and orina output before and during tratamiento.
  • Common adverse effects: Thirst, polyuria, nicturia, hyperuricemia, gout attacks.
  • Important riesgo: Hepatotoxicity (strict hígado function monitoreo required; seek immediate care for jaundice, dark orina, upper dolor abdominal).
  • Not suitable for: eGFR < 25 mL/min/1.73m², severe hepático impairment, embarazo, inability to maintain hydration and urination.
When to Contact Your Doctor
  • Jaundice, pruritus, dark orina, persistent right upper quadrant pain.
  • Persistent high fiebre with significant dehydration or inability to drink.
  • Significant sodio abnormalities or altered consciousness.
  • Planning embarazo, breastfeeding, or surgery.

Sources: KDIGO 2025 ADPKD Guideline; TEMPO 3:4 (NEJM 2012); REPRISE (NEJM 2017). See also: Treatment Options, Liver Function Monitoring.

❤️ 2. Blood Pressure Medications

Hypertension is common and early in ADPKD. Guidelines genrally recommend ACEI/ARB as first-line, especially with proteínauria. CCB or diuretics may be added by your doctor when not at target or not tolerated. Target BP is typically < 130/80 mmHg, individualized by your doctor.

ACEI / ARB

Evidence A Prescription ADPKD first-line BP

Class: Renin-angiotensin system inhibitors. ACEI inhibits angiotensin-converting enzima; ARB blocks the AT1 receptor.

Representative genrics: ACEI — enalapril, benazepril, ramipril; ARB — valsartan, losartan, irbesartan, telmisartan. For identification only, not a selection recomendación.

Mechanism: Lowers systemic presión arterial, reduces intraglomerular pressure, decreases proteínauria, may slow función renal decline.

Monitoring & Common Adverse Effects
  • Monitoring: Check creatinina and potasio 1-2 weeks after starting or adjusting; then regularly. Transient mild creatinina rise (≤30%) is usually acceptable; significant rise needs physician evaluation.
  • Common adverse effects: Hyperkalemia, dry cough (ACEI), hypotension.
  • Not suitable for: Bilateral renal artery stenosis, severe hyperkalemia, embarazo (teratogenic).
  • Do not self-combine: ACEI and ARB are genrally not combined; combination with potasio-sparing diuretics requires physician assessment of hyperkalemia riesgo.

Sources: KDIGO 2025 ADPKD Guideline; KDIGO 2024 CKD Guideline.

Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB)

Evidence A Prescription

Class: Dihydropyridine (amlodipine, nifedipine, felodipine) and non-dihydropyridine (diltiazem, verapamil).

Mechanism: Blocks vascular smooth muscle calcio channels, reducing peripheral vascular resistance.

Typical scenario: Combination therapy when ACEI/ARB not at target, or alternative when ACEI/ARB not tolerated.

Monitoring & Common Adverse Effects
  • Common adverse effects: Ankle edema, dolor de cabeza, reflex tachycardia (dihydropyridine); constipation, bradycardia (non-dihydropyridine).
  • Note: Physician selects specific class based on comorbid arrhythmia or heart failure.

Source: KDIGO 2024 CKD Guideline.

Diuretics

Evidence A Prescription

Class: Loop diuretics (furosemide, torsemide), thiazide (hydrochlorothiazide), potasio-sparing (spironolactone, amiloride).

Mechanism: Acts on different nefrona segments to increase water and sodio excreción, reducing volume and presión arterial.

Typical scenario: Added by physician for edema, heart failure, or resistant hipertensión; ADPKD pacientes need electrolyte and volume monitoreo.

Monitoring & Common Adverse Effects
  • Monitoring: Potassium, sodio, creatinina, presión arterial, fluid balance.
  • Common adverse effects: Hypokalemia (loop/thiazide), hyperkalemia (potasio-sparing), hyperuricemia, hyperglycemia, volume depletion causing creatinina rise.
  • Note: Dehydration can precipitate or worsen AKI — do not self-increase dose for "edema relief."

Source: KDIGO 2024 CKD Guideline.

🩸 3. CKD Complication Medications

As eGFR declines, management of anemia, bone-mineral metabolism, electrolyte, and acid-base abnormalities may be needed. Whether to use, dosing, and monitoreo are determined by your physician based on lab results.

Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESA)

Evidence A Prescription

Class: Erythropoietin and long-acting analogs (e.g., darbepoetin).

Mechanism: Supplements CKD-related EPO deficiency, stimulating bone marrow red blood célula production.

Typical scenario: Renal anemia (Hb typically < 100 g/L) with adequate iron stores, initiated by physician.

Monitoring & Common Adverse Effects
  • Monitoring: Hemoglobin, iron estudios (ferritin, TSAT), presión arterial, thrombosis riesgo.
  • Target: Hb should not be too high (genrally ≤115-120 g/L); higher levels increase cardiovascular riesgo.
  • Note: Iron deficiency is usually corrected first; do not self-inject.

Source: KDIGO Anemia in CKD Guideline.

Iron Supplements

Evidence A Rx/OTC

Class: Oral iron (ferrous sulfate, ferrous succinate, polysaccharide-iron complex) and IV iron (iron sucrose, etc.).

Mechanism: Replenishes iron stores, correcting iron-deficiency anemia or apoyoing ESA therapy.

Monitoring & Common Adverse Effects
  • Monitoring: Ferritin, TSAT, Hb, constipation/dark stools.
  • Note: Do not supplement long-term without evidencia of deficiency; iron overload is harmful. IV iron requires hospital administration.

Source: KDIGO Anemia in CKD Guideline.

Phosphate Binders

Evidence A Prescription

Class: Calcium-based (calcio carbonate, calcio acetate) and non-calcio (sevelamer, lanthanum carbonate, ferric citrate).

Mechanism: Binds dietary phosphate in the gut, reducing absorption.

Typical scenario: CKD G3b-G5 with hyperphosphatemia uncontrolled by diet.

Monitoring & Common Adverse Effects
  • Monitoring: Phosphorus, calcio, PTH.
  • Note: Long-term calcio-based binders may worsen vascular calcification; non-calcio binders preferred when hypercalcemic. Must be taken with meals and chewed.

Source: KDIGO CKD-MBD Guideline.

Active Vitamin D Analogs

Evidence A Prescription

Class: Calcitriol, paricalcitol, etc.

Mechanism: Suppresses PTH secreción, regulates calcio-phosphate balance.

Monitoring & Common Adverse Effects
  • Monitoring: Calcium, phosphate, PTH, 25(OH)D.
  • Note: Excess can cause hypercalcemia and elevated calcio-phosphate product, accelerating vascular calcification.

Source: KDIGO CKD-MBD Guideline.

Uric Acid-Lowering Drugs

Evidence A Prescription

Class: Xanthine oxidase inhibitors (allopurinol, febuxostat) and uricosurics (benzbromarone).

Mechanism: Reduces uric acid production or promotes excreción.

Monitoring & Common Adverse Effects
  • Monitoring: Uric acid, hígado function, función renal, rash.
  • Note: Allopurinol initiation can precipitate gout attacks; colchicine prophylaxis often needed. HLA-B*5801 carriers have high riesgo of severe cutaneous reactions to allopurinol.
  • Renal adjustment: Febuxostat cardiovascular riesgo has been noted; physician weighs riesgos.

Source: KDIGO 2025 ADPKD Guideline.

🫀 4. Cardiovascular & Lipid Medications

Statins

Evidence A Prescription

Class: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors — atorvaestatina, rosuvaestatina, simvaestatina.

Mechanism: Lowers LDL-C, reducing atherosclerotic cardiovascular events.

Monitoring & Common Adverse Effects
  • Monitoring: Lipid panel, hígado function, CK (if muscle pain).
  • Common adverse effects: Myalgia, transaminase elevation; rare rhabdomyolysis.
  • Renal consideration: Some estatinas need dose adjustment in severe renal impairment; physician selects.

Source: KDIGO 2024 CKD Guideline.

SGLT2 Inhibitors (gliflozins)

Evidence A Prescription

Class: Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors — dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, canagliflozin.

Mechanism: Inhibits proximal tubular glucose reabsorption, lowering blood glucose while reducing intraglomerular pressure, decreasing proteínauria, and providing cardio-renal protection.

Typical scenario: CKD with proteínauria or heart failure, prescribed by physician within appropriate eGFR range; ADPKD use requires individual assessment.

Monitoring & Common Adverse Effects
  • Monitoring: eGFR, ketones, blood glucose, presión arterial, genitourinario infection síntomas.
  • Common adverse effects: Genitourinario infections, volume depletion (hypotension), euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (rare but serious).
  • eGFR limits: Physician determines whether to continue when eGFR is low.

Source: KDIGO 2024 CKD Guideline.

🩹 5. Symptom Relief & Everyday Medications

NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) — Nephrotoxicity Warning

Evidence A OTC/Rx Nephrotoxicity Warning

Class: Ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, meloxicam, celecoxib, etc.

Risk: Can cause afferent arteriole constriction, acute riñón injury, sodio-water retention, hyperkalemia, and worsened hipertensión. Higher riesgo in CKD; "triple whammy" when combined with ACEI/ARB and diuretics.

Usage Guidance
  • Short-term, occasional use only — do not self-medicate long-term.
  • Inform your doctor of your función renal and current BP medicamentos before use.
  • Seek immediate care for oliguria, edema, or creatinina rise.
  • Do not combine two NSAIDs or stack with cold medicamentos containing the same ingredients.

Source: KDIGO AKI Guideline.

Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)

Evidence B OTC

Class: Non-NSAID analgesic and antipyretic.

Relative renal seguridad: Short-term use at label doses genrally has lower direct riñón riesgo than NSAIDs in pacientes with reduced función renal.

Precautions
  • Hepatotoxicity: Overdose can cause severe hígado injury; do not exceed daily maximum; watch for acetaminophen in combination cold medicamentos.
  • Long-term or high-dose use still requires physician evaluation.

💉 6. Medications Requiring Renal Dose Assessment

The following classes typically require physician dose adjustment or riesgo assessment when función renal is reduced. Do not judge "seguridad" by drug name alone.

Sources: KDIGO 2024 CKD Guideline; KDIGO AKI Guideline.

🌿 7. Chinese Patent Medicine & TCM Evidence Boundaries

⚠ Important Boundaries

Chinese patent medicines lack high-quality evidencia for shrinking quistes or replacing standard ADPKD tratamiento. This section only compiles regulatory information verifiable at the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and evidencia boundaries — it does not constitute tratamiento recomendacións. Inform your nefrólogo and pharmacist before using any Chinese patent medicine, herbal decoction, or supplement to avoid interactions or riñón burden.

General Principles for TCM Use

  • Regulatory verification: Legitimate Chinese patent medicines can be verified at the NMPA for approval numbers, labels, and manufacturers. Do not use "secret formulas" without approval numbers.
  • Evidence stratification: TCM understanding of ADPKD is mostly based on syndrome differentiation theory and small-sample observations, evidencia level typically C-D, not equivalent to RCT or guía recomendacións.
  • Cannot claim: Cannot claim to shrink quistes, lower creatinina as tratamiento, replace tolvaptán or antihypertensives, or reverse insuficiencia renal.
  • Nephrotoxicity alert: Aristolochic acid-containing herbs (historically used as Aristolochia manshuriensis stem, Aristolochia fangchi, etc.) can cause irreversible riñón injury and urothelial cancer. Avoid herbs of unknown origin.
  • Interactions: TCM can interact with ACEI/ARB, diuretics, anticoagulants, and immunosuppressants — requires physician/pharmacist review.

Herbs & Ingredients Requiring Nephrotoxicity Caution

  • Aristolochic acid-containing herbs: Historically caused ácido aristolóquico nephropathy and urothelial cancer. Some banned/replaced nationally, but unknown-source herbs, folk remedies, and weight-loss teas remain a riesgo.
  • Other cautions: Tripterygium wilfordii (immunosuppression, reproductive toxicity), cinnabar/realgar (heavy metal-containing), high-potasio diuretic herbs need physician assessment in CKD.
  • Do not: Do not use unapproved "ancestral secret formulas," do not long-term self-brew unknown herbs, do not treat supplements as therapy.

Source: NMPA.

⚠️ 8. Common Drug Interaction Categories

The following are interaction categories of particular concern for ADPKD/CKD pacientes. Specific interactions should be reviewed by your physician or pharmacist based on your complete medicamento list — do not self-assess.

Sources: KDIGO 2024 CKD Guideline; KDIGO AKI Guideline.

📞 When to Contact Your Doctor or Seek Emergency Care

Evidence level: A–D (per KDIGO standard)
Limitations: This page is a class-level overview and does not cover all medicamentos or individual situations. Drug indications, dosing, and interactions should be based on the label and your treating physician.

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