Study: 2 Types of Drugs Protect Kidneys

Two types of drugs can help to reduce the risk that early kidney disease will get much worse, a new study finds. Researchers put together the results of 110 previous studies. In those studies, people with early kidney disease were treated with drugs that lower blood pressure. They were compared with people who got placebo (fake) pills. Some of the drugs used were angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. These include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec) and others. People who received ACE inhibitors were 35% less likely to develop end-stage renal (kidney) disease. Angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) reduced risk by 23%. ARBs include candesartan (Atacand), valsartan (Diovan) and others. People with early kidney disease that had signs of getting worse received the greatest benefit from both types of drugs.