Kidney Care

Precautions for Patients with Kidney Disease

• Avoid over the counter pain medicines other than tylenol (or acetaminophen). Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), naproxen (Naprosyn or Aleve) or greater than one aspirin daily should be avoided as these may worsen blood pressure, contribute to swelling, and may cause acute kidney failure.

• Intravenous contrast is an injection given with some radiographic (x-ray procedures). Intravenous contrast may potentially be harmful to your kidneys. Please notifiy the ordering physician and the radiologist performing the procedure that you have chronic kidney disease. This will help to assure that the procedure will be done safely and/or that appropriate precautions are taken.

• If you have advanced kidney disease (Stage 4, GFR < 30ml/min) please avoid blood draws and IVs in your non-dominant arm (If you are right handed your non dominant arm is the left) to prevent damaging veins that may be needed for dialysis access (arteriovenous fistula).

Visit the National Kidney Foundation website for additional resources.