As the name implies, kidney stone crushing drugs have the main function to destroy kidney stones. In addition, this drug is also used to prevent the formation of kidney stones back and help remove kidney stones through urine.
Kidney stones are solid crystals that form in the kidneys. The formation of kidney stones is caused by a buildup of certain mineral substances in the blood that settles in the kidney and over time it hardens to resemble stones.
Some types of substances that can settle in the kidneys and cause kidney stones are calcium, uric acid, oxalate, magnesium, phosphate, ammonia, and cysteine amino acids.
There are several factors that can increase a person's risk for kidney stones, namely:
- A diet high in protein, salt and sugar, but lacking in fiber.
- Suffer from certain diseases, such as hyperparathyroidism, urinary tract infections, gout, digestive disorders, and diabetes.
- Overweight or obese.
- The habit of drinking less water or mild dehydration in the long run.
- Having genetic disorders, such as cystinuria. This condition causes the sufferer to accumulate cysteine amino acids in the blood.
- Side effects of certain drugs or supplements, such as anticonvulsants, diuretics, HIV-type protease inhibitors, such as idinavir, as well as calcium and vitamin C supplements.
Kidney stone disease is not always symptomatic, especially if the stones that are formed are small in size and can come out on their own through the urinary tract. However, when the stones that are formed are quite large and cause a blockage in the urinary tract, the kidney stones can cause several symptoms, such as:
- Back and waist pain. This pain can be felt spread to the lower abdomen.
- Feel often want to pee.
- Pee-pee tight and painful.
- Dark and reddish urine color or bloody pee.
- Nausea and vomiting.
If there are signs of kidney stone symptoms above, you should immediately consult a doctor to get further examination and treatment.
Treating Kidney Stones with Medication
Treatment of kidney stones varies, depending on the type of stone and its cause. Some types of kidney stones include calcium stones, struvit stones (stones formed due to urinary tract infections), and uric acid stones.
But in general, there are several types of drugs that destroy kidney stones that can usually be prescribed by a doctor. Some medicines to destroy kidney stones include:
1. Allopurinol
Allopurinol is a drug used to help destroy uric acid stones. This drug works by reducing the production of uric acid in the body.
2. Alpha inhibitors
Alpha-blockers (alpha-blockers) function to help destroy kidney stones that are quite large, which is about 5-10 millimeters. After being crushed, the remaining small kidney stones will come out by themselves through urine. This drug also works by relaxing the urinary tract muscles, so kidney stones more easily come out.
Several types of drugs are included in the class of alpha inhibitors, including tamsulosin, doxazosin, and terazosin.
3. Diuretics
Diuretic drugs are drugs that can increase urine production and make urination more frequent. One type of diuretic that is widely used to treat kidney stones is a thiazide type diuretic.
This drug works by reducing the absorption of salt and minerals in the kidneys, thereby increasing urine production in the body. As a result, you will urinate more often and small kidney stones can pass through urine. This drug also works to prevent the formation of kidney stones repeatedly.
4. Sodium bicarbonate
This drug, also called sodium citrate, is usually given to treat symptoms that arise due to excess stomach acid production. This drug also helps the kidneys remove uric acid content which triggers kidney stone formation.
In addition, sodium bicarbonate is also used to prevent kidney stone disease from getting worse.
To relieve pain or discomfort due to the presence of kidney stones in the urinary tract, usually kidney stone patients will be prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen and diclofenac. For pain that is very severe and does not subside with ordinary pain medications, your doctor may give stronger painkillers, such as ketorolac, morphine, and fentanyl.
In addition to medication, to help remove kidney stones and prevent the formation of repeated stones, you also need to drink lots of water.
Keep in mind, some of the kidney stones that have been mentioned above should only be consumed by prescription.
For certain cases, such as large kidney stones, which are large in number, and completely block the urinary tract, they need to be treated with special procedures, such as destroying kidney stones with shock waves (ESWL) or kidney stone operations.
Some herbal products or supplements are claimed to treat kidney stones. However, you are advised not to take herbal medicines that have not been tested for their usefulness as kidney stone cures.
If symptoms have not improved after taking medication or kidney stones have caused total urinary tract obstruction, immediately consult a doctor so that treatment can be done immediately.
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