Debunking the Myth: Taking Diabetes Medication Does Not Damage the Kidneys

KOMPAS.com – Taking medication is one way to control blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.

However, not a few patients are afraid to routinely take drugs because of the news that drugs will damage the kidneys.

As a result, those who are worried, are desperate to stop taking drugs that control blood sugar in the body.

One of the questions about the impact of diabetes drugs on the kidneys was expressed by a user Threads.

“Doc, if you take sugar medicine every day, can it damage your kidneys or not?” he asked.

So, is this information true?

Also read: Getting to Know Diabetic Nephropathy, the Risk of Kidney Disease in Diabetics

Taking diabetes medication does not cause kidney damage

Internal medicine specialist from Dr. Soetomo Surabaya Hospital, Dr. Dana Pramudya via his Twitter account @danapramudya also responded to the question.

According to him, the news that taking drugs to control blood sugar can damage the kidneys is wrong.

“So I won’t stop reminding. Moreover, sometimes those who say so offer me products that use natural ingredients. The stairs have already fallen,” he wrote, Saturday (9/7/2023).

Confirmed on Saturday, Dana Pramudya allowed Kompas.com to use his explanation as news material.

Dana explained, the real cause of kidney damage is not the drug, but the diabetes condition itself.

“Diabetes and hypertension are the two main causes of kidney damage or chronic kidney disease if they are not controlled,” he said.

According to him, diabetes can damage the kidneys through a process called diabetic nephropathy.

This condition occurs when blood sugar levels are high in the long term, affecting the ability of the kidneys to filter blood properly.

Over time, excess blood sugar has the potential to cause damage to the small blood vessels in the kidneys.

“And it causes protein that normally doesn’t pass through the filtering of the kidneys, to start leaking into the urine,” explains Dana.

This damage can then continue until the kidneys are no longer able to carry out their functions as they should.

Also read: Is it true that dark neck skin is a sign of diabetes? This Doctor Says

Diabetes drug helps kidneys “live longer”

The doctor who also practices at Siloam Hospitals Surabaya also tells about patients with diabetes and hypertension who have been taking medication regularly for 20 years but have decreased kidney function.

According to Dana, the decline in kidney function is not due to drug consumption, but chronic kidney disease (CKD) which is the main cause of diabetes and hypertension.

“Diabetes and hypertension in the long term will cause many things in the body. And if this happens continuously, over time the kidneys will become weak, so that they become CKD,” he said.

As for prolonging kidney resistance, patients need to maintain blood sugar levels and blood pressure as normal as possible.

There are several ways, namely by modifying your lifestyle to be healthier and taking drugs if needed.

“In the earlier question. Precisely because Mr X was taking good care of his condition, kidney problems only occurred 20 years later,” said Dana.

“If the condition of sugar and blood pressure is not maintained, it could be that kidney disorders will occur more quickly (3-5 years),” he continued.

Also read: Too Much Sachet Beverage Consumption Can Trigger Blood Dialysis, What Is That?

If the kidneys are already disturbed

On the other hand, Dana said, over time, kidney function will decrease.

If the kidney is already damaged or impaired, the patient needs action to replace its function, namely through:

Hemodialysis or dialysis Peritoneal dialysis Kidney transplant.

He also appealed to the public, especially diabetic patients, to consult before making a decision.

“Always consult your health with your doctor,” he concluded.

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2023-07-10 08:30:00
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