Skip to content
WebMD: Better Information. Better Health.
Other search tools:Symptoms|Doctors|Videos

Diabetes Health Center

Font Size
A
A
A

Diabetic Nephropathy - Treatment Overview

Diabetic nephropathy is treated with medicines that lower blood pressure and protect the kidneys. These medicines may reverse kidney damage and are started as soon as any amount of protein is found in the urine (microalbuminuria). The use of these medicines before nephropathy occurs may also help prevent nephropathy in people who have normal blood pressure. 3, 4

If you have high blood pressure, two or more medicines may be needed to lower your blood pressure enough to protect the kidneys. Medicines are added one at a time as needed. The American Diabetes Association recommends a target blood pressure of less than 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). 1 The level recommended by other organizations may vary. Talk with your doctor about what your target blood pressure level should be. For more information on blood pressure medicines, see the topic High Blood Pressure (Hypertension).

If you take other medicines, avoid ones that damage or stress the kidneys, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

It is also important to keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible. Maintaining blood sugar levels at a close to normal level prevents damage to the small blood vessels in the kidneys.

Limiting the amount of salt in your diet can help keep your high blood pressure from becoming worse. You may also want to restrict the amount of protein in your diet. If diabetes has affected your kidneys, limiting how much protein you eat may help you preserve kidney function. Talk to your doctor or dietitian about how much protein is best for you.

People with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely than people who don't have diabetes to die of heart and blood vessel diseases. Using low-dose aspirin therapy and eating a low-fat diet can help prevent heart attack, stroke, and other large blood vessel disease (macrovascular disease). 5

Initial treatment

Medicines that are used to treat diabetic nephropathy are also used to control blood pressure. If you have a very small amount of protein in your urine, these medicines may reverse the kidney damage. Medicines used for initial treatment of diabetic nephropathy include:

1 | 2 | 3

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: December 12, 2008
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
Next Article:
webMD Video

Show or hide information about video: Vinegar for Diabetes   Vinegar for Diabetes

48x48_vinegar_for_diabetes.jpg

Vinegar is in everything from coleslaw to pickles. What if you could actually use it to help prevent disease?

Watch Video: Vinegar for Diabetes (opens in a new window)

Show or hide information about video: Pre-Diabetes   Pre-Diabetes

Show or hide information about video: Diabetes and Dental Health   Diabetes and Dental Health

Show or hide information about video: Diabetes Disaster(Part One)   Diabetes Disaster(Part One)

Show or hide information about video: Snacks for Diabetics   Snacks for Diabetics