Xanax And Chronic Kidney Disease (Updated 2021) (2023)

FAQs

Can you take Xanax if you have chronic kidney disease? ›

Benzodiazepines that include active metabolites such as clorazepate, chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, and flurazepam should be prohibited in patients with renal insufficiency and those with ESRD (Wyne et al., 2010).

Xanax, a brand-name version of alprazolam, is metabolized (broken down) in the liver. The liver helps the body get rid of drugs by producing certain enzymes. In the case of Xanax, the liver enzyme CYP3A4 is primarily responsible for metabolizing the drug.

Xanax or alprazolam should not have any effect on the kidneys, even if taken for 30 years.

Some medicines that you should discuss with your Nephrologist that may reduce your stress and anxiety are Valium, Xanax and Lorazepam (Ativan). If you are suffering panic attacks during your treatment, some have found that Benadryl administered through an IV helps to keep them calm and able to sleep while on Dialysis.

Creatinine clearance also did not differ between the control and alprazolam conditions (164 vs. 142 ml/min). Thus therapeutic doses of alprazolam do not significantly alter digoxin clearance in healthy man.

Alprazolam is metabolized by the liver via the cytochrome P450 system, predominantly by CYP 3A4.

The misuse of benzos can be deadly.

Mixed with prescription muscle relaxers, benzodiazepines can also damage liver and kidney function.

Xanax addiction can cause users to develop gastrointestinal and stomach issues, such as nausea and vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and urinary incontinence.

Additionally, the use of antidepressant and other psychoactive drugs can induce kidney injury. Hyponatremia induced by second-generation antidepressant drugs is an important feature and can be a risk factor for elderly or patients with comorbidities such as cerebral edema, brain damage or coma.

What is the new drug for kidney disease? ›

20 January 2023 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Jardiance® (empagliflozin) tablets, which is being investigated as a potential treatment to reduce the risk of kidney disease progression and cardiovascular death in adults with chronic kidney ...

Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorder (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks). Alprazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.

A comfortable bed and bedding can lessen the amount of times you get up during the night. A darkened, quiet room will have fewer distractions to wake you up. If you still have trouble sleeping, or if you experience insomnia for a week or more, tell your doctor. Adequate rest is an important part in your CKD treatment.

Clonazepam, the most potent benzodiazepine, is used to treat seizures and anxiety disorders. Xanax can be considered the most potent benzodiazepine to treat anxiety. Alprazolam is one of the strongest short-acting benzodiazepines and is often prescribed by doctors because its half-life is shorter than 26 hours.

Short-half-life benzodiazepines, such as oxazepam, alprazolam, and triazolam, are usually recommended for older adults, because these agents do not accumulate in the blood, are rapidly cleared from circulation, and offer greater dosage flexibility.

Anxiety and Panic Symptoms

Extreme anxiety and anxiety somatic symptoms such as breathlessness, palpitations, chest pain, sweating and fear of dying may occur in renal failure cases. Many a times, these symptoms are not associated with any triggers and may occur unexpectedly.

Kidney disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Alprazolam has a risk for abuse and addiction, which can lead to overdose and death. Taking this medication with alcohol or other drugs that can cause drowsiness or breathing problems (especially opioid medications such as codeine, hydrocodone) may cause very serious side effects, including death.

Notes for Professionals: Advise patients to avoid grapefruit juice and grapefruit during alprazolam treatment. Use of grapefruit juice and alprazolam is contraindicated due to the potential for elevated alprazolam concentrations, which may cause prolonged sedation and respiratory depression.

What drugs can cause abnormally elevated creatinine levels? ›

Several drugs, such as cimetidine, trimethoprim, corticosteroids, pyrimethamine, phenacemide, salicylates and active vitamin D metabolites, have been reported to increase plasma creatinine without influencing its glomerular filtration.

Acetaminophen. Taking acetaminophen in excess is the leading cause of drug-induced liver injury.

Lorazepam is metabolized by the liver to inactive metabolites and is considered the benzodiazepine best tolerated by patients with advanced liver disease.

Metabolism. All benzodiazepines are metabolized by the liver. However, some benzodiazepines (i.e. - lorazepam, oxazepam, and tamazepam) do not go through cytochrome P450 metabolism (Phase I metabolism), and are only metabolized via glucuronidation (Phase II metabolism).

However, we know that GFR physiologically decreases with age, and in adults older than 70 years, values below 60 mL/min/1.73 m² could be considered normal.

Benzodiazepines should be avoided in patients with a history of drug abuse. Common benzodiazepines used for GAD include alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, and lorazepam. Mirtazapine (Remeron) and buspirone are also effective in GAD for patients who do not respond to at least two trials of SSRIs or SNRIs.

Benzodiazepines increase the risk of addiction, withdrawal, cognitive decline, motor vehicle crashes, and hip fracture. The risk of overdose is particularly great when combined with sedative drugs such as opioids or alcohol.

However, elderly patients are more likely to have unwanted effects (eg, severe drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, clumsiness, or unsteadiness) and kidney, liver, or lung problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving this medicine.

The generic name for Xanax is alprazolam. Many anxiety symptoms result, to some extent, from a chemical imbalance in the brain. Medication can help change this imbalance.

Can anxiety affect creatinine levels? ›

From the results of statistical tests, it was found that there was a significant correlation between stress levels and albumin creatinine ratio (p value = 0.002), where higher stress level, can impact to higher albumin creatinine ratio (correlation coefficient 0.406).

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): These are the most commonly prescribed and studied anti-depressants for patients with ESRD (16). They are protein-bound, metabolized by the liver, and unlikely to be removed by dialysis (14). Therefore, all SSRIs can be considered in patients with ESRD.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

All the NSAIDs inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, leading to unopposed, intrarenal vasoconstriction. This decreases the glomerular filtration rate.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a leading cause of death in the United States. There is no cure for the disease, with current treatment strategies relying on blood pressure control through blockade of the renin angiotensin system and glycemic control.

All dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors agents can be safely used in all stages of CKD, and ESKD on dialysis (⁶⁹). Certain agents in this class are eliminated through the kidneys, such as alogliptin, saxagliptin, and sitagliptin, and require a dose adjustment with lower GFRs.

Drink plenty of fluids

Regular, consistent water intake is healthy for your kidneys. Water helps clear sodium and toxins from your kidneys. It also lowers your risk of chronic kidney disease. Aim for at least 1.5 to 2 liters in a day.

Are There Any Risks For Taking Alprazolam For Long Periods Of Time? Alprazolam is a safe and effective medication when used as directed. Benzodiazepines may produce emotional and/or physical dependence (addiction) even when used as recommended. Physical dependence may develop after 2 or more weeks of daily use.

Adults—At first, 0.25 to 0.5 milligram (mg) 3 times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 4 mg per day. Older adults—At first, 0.25 mg 2 or 3 times a day.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Xanax for very short-term treatment for most conditions. Eight weeks is the maximum amount of time they should be taken, specifically to treat panic disorder. Most physicians or therapists will prescribe Xanax for “as-needed” treatment.

Which drug is not recommended for patients with poor kidney function? ›

Pain medications.

If you have decreased kidney function some over-the-counter and prescription pain medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are not recommended because they can reduce blood flow to the kidneys.

Melatonin is recommended for regulation and improvement of the sleep-wake cycle in patients with insomnia.

NSAIDS, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve), lead the list for drugs that cause kidney damage because of their widespread use.

All dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors agents can be safely used in all stages of CKD, and ESKD on dialysis (⁶⁹). Certain agents in this class are eliminated through the kidneys, such as alogliptin, saxagliptin, and sitagliptin, and require a dose adjustment with lower GFRs.

Several drugs, such as cimetidine, trimethoprim, corticosteroids, pyrimethamine, phenacemide, salicylates and active vitamin D metabolites, have been reported to increase plasma creatinine without influencing its glomerular filtration.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

All the NSAIDs inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, leading to unopposed, intrarenal vasoconstriction. This decreases the glomerular filtration rate.

A decrease or decline in the GFR implies progression of underlying kidney disease or the occurrence of a superimposed insult to the kidneys. This is most commonly due to problems such as dehydration and volume loss. An improvement in the GFR may indicate that the kidneys are recovering some of their function.

Many illness- and treatment-related factors (metabolic changes, inflammation, altered sleep regulatory mechanisms, symptoms and complications of CKD, comorbid conditions, medications, and renal replacement therapies) may disturb sleep and contribute to the high prevalence of insomnia in this patient population.

Kidney-friendly carbohydrates and energy

Complex carbs such as rice, pasta and starchy vegetables are high in carbohydrates and some of these provide fiber. They also provide a steady source of glucose for energy and blood glucose regulation.

With the exception of hyperlipidemia, most comorbidities correlated with an increased risk of CKD. Persistent use of sleeping pills after CKD diagnosis increased the risk of concurrent ESRD (aHR = 7.542; 95% CI: 4.267–10.156; p < 0.001).