Kidney Failure; Acute Renal Failure

Kidney is one of the most important organ in the body. Without it, anything that we eat will end up poisoning our body.

Risk factors of kidney failure:
Chronic medical illness such as Diabetes and Hypertension
Systemic diseases such as SLE, etc.

If u ever wonder the cost of dialysis in Malaysia?
Recently i talked to my friendly customer who worked in a dialysis center. Kidney failure patient need to go for dialysis 3 times a week.

Cost (/month)
Private hospital
RM 250x13=RM3250

Charity funded dialysis center
RM 110x13= RM1430

If u apply for gov subsidy,
RM 110-RM 50=>RM 60x13=RM 780

I would say RM 780 /month still a very high figure, considering the gov only give RM 625/year one time for fuel rebate. Dialysis is a life long treatment. If a patient has kidney failure at age 40 years old, another 30 years of dialysis life will cost him RM 280,800.00. And this amount does not include cost from work loss, transport, medications etc.

So, now the question which many of my customers often ask is
Do ARBs (Angiotensin Receptor Blocker) and ACEI (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor) group of hypertension medicine protect the kidneys?
My doctor said this medicine is good for my kidney. ACEI group: Zestril, Coversyl, Renitec

ARBs group: Atacand, Cozaar, Fortzaar, Aprovel, Micardis, Diovan

Ask the pharmacist

Haha.. I would say yes if u are a diabetic or u have diabetic nepropathy.

But for patient with chronic kidney disease, the answer is BIG NO becoz it actually worsen the situation. That is why when u go for hospital treatment, they will take your blood sample to check for BUN, creatinine and potassium within 1 week after initiation of medicine from these groups. This is to detect early sign of kidney malfunction due to these group of medicine.

In elderly patients (kidney function often deteriorates with aging), we would like to advise to avoid NSAIDs/COX-2 I (pain killer) to be administered with ACEI, ARB and diuretics.

If u have the symptoms such as decrease urine production, dizziness or swelling of legs or ankle, pharmacists will advise u to see your dr, as all these is sign of acute kidney failure.

Prevention is better than cure, but in kidney failure, there is no cure, only prevention. Email me if u have further questions. Consult your pharmacist.