Chronic Kidney Disease Randy Chen, M.D. Thanks to our speaker! Randy Chen, M.D. –Practicing nephrologist Gabapentin •Very commonly prescribed for nerve pain. Among 74,084 patients identified with CKD and a new prescription for gabapentin or pregabalin, 41% started at >300 or >75 mg/d, respectively. From this set of patients, a weighted study population with a size of 61,367 was generated. Many analgesics that are typically used in the non-CKD population should not be used among patients with advanced CKD (ie, estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <30 mL/min/1.73 m 2; including those on dialysis). This topic reviews the epidemiology, assessment of pain, and management of pain among patients with advanced CKD. Gabapentinoids are opioid substitutes whose elimination by the kidneys is reduced as kidney function declines. To inform their safe prescribing in older adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD), we examined the 30-day risk of serious adverse events according to the prescribed starting dose. BACKGROUND: Gabapentin is frequently used as an analgesic in patients with chronic kidney disease. Although gabapentin is well known for its favorable pharmacokinetics, it is exclusively eliminated renally, and patients with chronic kidney disease are at risk for toxicity. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Gabapentin and Stage 3 Kidney Disease 1. What is Stage 3 Kidney Disease? Stage 3 kidney disease refers to a stage of chronic kidney disease where kidney function is moderately reduced, with an estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) between 30 and 59 ml/min/1.73 m². This means that when kidney function is impaired, as in chronic kidney disease (CKD), the drug can accumulate, potentially leading to a range of adverse effects, sometimes severe. Therefore, while not entirely “off-limits,” gabapentin use in patients with kidney disease requires extreme caution, dose adjustments, and careful monitoring. Background: Gabapentinoids (GPs) are frequently prescribed in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, their exclusive renal elimination warrants dose adjustments to decrease risk of toxicity. This study evaluated GP prescribing patterns and whether excessive dosing was associated with increased incidence of gabapentinoid-related Gabapentin (Neurontin) usually isn’t bad for your liver or kidneys. In most cases, it has little effect on these organs. In rare instances, gabapentin can cause DRESS (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms) syndrome. The short answer is: yes, gabapentin can be problematic for individuals with kidney failure and chronic kidney disease (CKD). While gabapentin is often prescribed for pain management, particularly nerve pain, and sometimes for seizures, its primary elimination pathway is through the kidneys. Here’s a scenario of using gabapentin in chronic kidney disease. A 42 year old African American man with a history of coronary artery disease and decompensated heart failure s/p heart transplant and chronic kidney disease presented to a hospital on 9/29/16 complaining of shortness of breath, dyspnea upon exertion and LE edema. We found that patients with chronic kidney disease had elevated serum gabapentin concentrations, in some cases leading to gabapentin toxicity; those with advanced age and multiple comorbidities were more prone to the toxicity, and the toxicity tended to be underrecognized. Patients with chronic kidney disease often receive inappropriately high gabapentin dosage for their kidney function, occasioning overt toxicity; advanced age and comorbidity predispose these patients for toxicity. It is entirely excreted through the renal system so this needs to be considered in any patient becoming acutely ill and developing renal failure. We describe a patient who developed significant deterioration in her conscious level due to iatrogenic gabapentin overdose. Affiliations 1 VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Murfreesboro, Nashville, TN.; 2 Stratton VA Medical Center; Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany, NY; Western New England University College of Pharmacy, Springfield, MA; Scientific and Clinical Affairs, Remitigate LLC, Delmar, NY, USA. Rationale & objective: Gabapentinoids are opioid substitutes whose elimination by the kidneys is reduced as kidney function declines. To inform their safe prescribing in older adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD), we examined the 30-day risk of serious adverse events according to the prescribed starting dose. Creatinine clearance (CLCr) is difficult to measure in outpatients. In patients with stable renal function, creatinine clearance can be reasonably well estimated using the equation of Cockcroft and Gault. The use of gabapentin capsules in patients less than 12 years of age with compromised renal function has not been studied. When it comes to gabapentin and kidney disease, kidney disease sufferers should be aware of the risks that are involved in taking gabapentin with kidney disease. Gabapentin is actually toxic to the kidneys. Gabapentin is frequently used as an analgesic in patients with chronic kidney disease. Gabapentin and pregabalin are commonly used for neuropathic pain in CKD patients but are not fully understood as this population remains excluded from efficacy and safety trials. Renal adjustments for the gabapentinoids are prodigiously recommended in the literature.
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