If you’re living with diabetes, you might wonder if your medications could harm your kidneys. Good news: diabetes medicines are not the culprit behind kidney damage! In fact, these medications are designed to help control your blood sugar and protect your kidneys, not hurt them.
It’s a common myth that diabetes drugs cause kidney failure. The real issue is that high blood sugar from poorly controlled diabetes can damage the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys over time, leading to a condition called diabetic nephropathy. When kidney function drops, your doctor might adjust your medications—not because the drugs are causing harm, but because your kidneys can’t clear the medicines as efficiently, which can increase the risk of side effects.
Most diabetes medications are safe when your kidneys are healthy. Some, like SGLT2 inhibitors (such as canagliflozin), actually protect the kidneys and can slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, if you already have kidney damage, your doctor may avoid or adjust doses of certain medications to prevent overload of your kidneys or fluid retention.
Always talk to your doctor before making any changes to your medication. They’ll choose the right medicines for you based on your kidney health.
Have you had any concerns about your diabetes meds or kidney health? Let us know if you want tips on protecting your kidney health
