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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Long-term Potassium Citrate Intake Safe For Preventing Growth Of Kidney Stones?

My husband has been prescribed potassium citrate to control kidney stones. Is this safe to take for a long period of time. The dr saw some kidney stones on a sonogram . My husband has no symptoms of kidney stones. Drr wants to put him on this med to prevent more kidney stones from growing.
Wed, 5 Dec 2018
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

Potassium citrate can be used to prevent certain kidney stones. It is important if the doctor suspects kidney stones to have a study of the nature or chemical composition of the stones before recommending a medication to help prevent their growth.

Stones can be caused by an acidic or basic PH in the urine and in each case certain crystals are the cause of the stones and the medication should be addressing the PH in the urine by neutralizing it and reducing the stones (if the PH is acidic a basic chemical is used, if the PH is basic an acidic chemical is used). PH of the urine and the cristal causing the stone can be identified with a simple urinalysis.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General & Family Physician
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Is Long-term Potassium Citrate Intake Safe For Preventing Growth Of Kidney Stones?

Hello, Potassium citrate can be used to prevent certain kidney stones. It is important if the doctor suspects kidney stones to have a study of the nature or chemical composition of the stones before recommending a medication to help prevent their growth. Stones can be caused by an acidic or basic PH in the urine and in each case certain crystals are the cause of the stones and the medication should be addressing the PH in the urine by neutralizing it and reducing the stones (if the PH is acidic a basic chemical is used, if the PH is basic an acidic chemical is used). PH of the urine and the cristal causing the stone can be identified with a simple urinalysis. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Dr. Antoneta Zotaj General & Family Physician