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Medications
PubMed · December 1, 2026
This research looked at two blood thinners — Eliquis (apixaban) and Xarelto (rivaroxaban) — compared to an older blood thinner called warfarin, in people who have atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat that raises stroke risk) and are on dialysis due to serious kidney disease. The study found that Eliquis and Xarelto were linked to lower rates of dangerous bleeding, stroke, and death compared to warfarin in this group, which is a meaningful safety and effectiveness update for a population that has historically been very difficult to treat. This adds to a growing picture suggesting these newer blood thinners may be a safer option than warfarin for people in this specific situation, though your doctor would weigh all the details before making any decision.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether apixaban might be safer than warfarin for preventing blood clots if the patient have atrial fibrillation and kidney problems.
Medications
PubMed · December 1, 2026
This is about Farxiga (dapagliflozin), a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana, which researchers looked at specifically for people with chronic kidney disease — a condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter the blood. The study, which combined results from eight earlier studies, found that Farxiga was linked to meaningful improvements in anemia (low red blood cell levels, which causes fatigue and weakness) in people with kidney disease, along with a lower risk of death compared to other treatments. This appears to be a promising new option for managing anemia in kidney disease, a condition where current treatments come with notable safety concerns.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether dapagliflozin might help with anemia that comes from the patient's kidney disease.
Lifestyle
PubMed · December 1, 2026
A large review of 82 studies found that people with chronic kidney disease — a condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter the blood — who did regular physical exercise were less likely to die, had lower high blood pressure, stronger heart and lung function, and less inflammation in their bodies. The benefit was especially strong for people on dialysis, a treatment that does the kidneys' filtering work for them. The type of exercise studied was structured aerobic activity, things like walking or cycling, done consistently over time — concrete enough that someone could lace up their shoes and take a brisk 20–30 minute walk today.
Medications
ScienceDaily · June 8, 2026
A medical press release highlights new findings about a drug called finerenone, which may help protect the kidneys and heart in a much larger group of people with chronic kidney disease than doctors previously realized — including people whose kidney disease is not related to diabetes, who often have very few treatment options. Three major studies found that finerenone significantly slowed the worsening of kidney disease and lowered the chances of kidney failure, heart failure, and death. This appears to be an emerging new option, though readers should speak with their doctor to understand whether it might be relevant to their situation.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether finerenone might be something the patient should consider taking to help protect their kidneys and heart.
Medications
The Lancet · June 5, 2026
A study found that a medication called finerenone (brand name Kerendia) helped people with chronic kidney disease — a condition where the kidneys slowly lose their ability to filter waste from the blood. Researchers found it lowered the risk of the kidneys getting worse or failing completely, and also reduced the chances of serious heart problems like heart attacks or strokes, heart failure hospital stays, and death. This appears to be a new finding supporting finerenone as a core treatment option for a wide range of people with chronic kidney disease, regardless of how advanced their condition is.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether finerenone might help slow down the patient's kidney disease and reduce the risk of needing dialysis or a transplant.
Guidelines
PubMed · June 4, 2026
According to the Italian Society of Nephrology guidelines, people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) — a condition where the kidneys slowly lose their ability to filter the body properly — are encouraged to use telemedicine, meaning virtual visits and remote monitoring, as part of their regular care. The guidelines suggest this approach works best when video or digital tools are combined with some in-person visits, using secure platforms and trained healthcare teams, because this can reduce the need for frequent hospital trips and help catch problems earlier. This matters because CKD affects a large number of adults worldwide, and easier access to consistent care can make a real difference in how well the condition is managed over time.
What's New
The Lancet · June 3, 2026
A study found that chronic kidney disease affects up to 844 million adults worldwide and could become one of the top five causes of death by 2040. Researchers found that better testing methods — including a protein called cystatin C that helps measure how well the kidneys are filtering blood, and checking urine for a substance called albuminuria (a sign of kidney stress) — are improving how doctors detect and track the disease earlier. People with kidney disease may want to ask their doctor whether these newer tests are right for them, especially since catching problems early can make a meaningful difference in how the condition is managed.
What's New
The Lancet · June 3, 2026
Researchers found that men and women have real biological differences in how their kidneys are built and how they work — and these differences affect how chronic kidney disease (CKD, a condition where the kidneys slowly lose their ability to filter waste from the blood) shows up, how serious it gets, and even how well certain newer treatments work. Despite this, current treatment guidelines treat everyone the same, without accounting for those differences. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
The Lancet · June 3, 2026
A study found that people with chronic kidney disease — a condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter the blood — often have other health conditions at the same time, like heart disease or diabetes. Researchers found that newer medications, including a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana and a diabetes medication like Ozempic or Victoza, show strong promise for slowing kidney damage and reducing serious heart problems like heart attacks or strokes. People with chronic kidney disease may want to ask their doctor whether any of these newer treatment options have been considered for their care.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether the patient should be on medications like SGLT2 inhibitors or GLP receptor agonists to slow down kidney disease progression, especially if the patient also has heart disease or diabetes.
Medications
PubMed · June 2, 2026
A study found that semaglutide — sold under brand names like Ozempic — helped protect the kidneys and reduce the risk of death in people with type 2 diabetes who also had chronic kidney disease, meaning long-term damage that reduces how well the kidneys filter the blood. Researchers found these benefits held up across different groups of patients, including those who already had heart disease and those who had heart failure (when the heart can't pump blood as well as it should). This appears to be a new finding about how this medication may help beyond just blood sugar control.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy) might help protect the patient's kidneys and reduce the risk of kidney disease getting worse, especially if the patient also has heart disease or is at high risk for it.
What's New
PubMed · June 1, 2026
Researchers found that among several newer diabetes medications like Ozempic or Victoza, semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) showed the strongest and most consistent results in reducing serious heart problems like heart attacks or strokes in people with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk — especially when combined with another diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana. The analysis looked at 34 studies and also found promising kidney-protecting effects from some of these medications. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · June 1, 2026
Researchers found that giving people with chronic kidney disease (long-term kidney damage) a neck massage using certain essential oils — including Neem, Ylang-ylang, and Frankincense — led to a meaningful drop in a measure called 'rate pressure product,' which reflects how hard the heart is working during rest. This matters because people with kidney disease often also have high blood pressure, which puts extra strain on the heart, so finding gentle ways to ease that strain could be valuable. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · June 1, 2026
Researchers found that sitting in a far-infrared sauna for about 25 minutes improved blood vessel function and the ability to exercise in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is a condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter the blood properly. People with CKD often have blood vessel problems and get tired easily, so finding a gentle, passive way to potentially help both issues is noteworthy — especially since the sauna sessions did not appear to harm kidney function. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · June 1, 2026
Researchers found that newer kidney-protecting medications — including a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana and a drug called finerenone — are likely worth their cost for people with chronic kidney disease (a long-term condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter the blood properly). Across 36 cost analyses, these treatments consistently helped patients live longer and feel better, and in many cases actually saved money compared to older standard treatments. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · June 1, 2026
A study found that kidney disease patients on hemodialysis — a machine-based treatment that filters the blood when the kidneys can no longer do it — may breathe better and move around more easily after just one week of hands-on therapy targeting the breathing muscles and diaphragm (the large muscle under the lungs that powers breathing), on top of their usual physical therapy. Researchers found that this combined approach improved breathing muscle strength and how far patients could walk, compared to standard physical therapy alone. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
Guidelines
PubMed · June 1, 2026
According to American Society of Nephrology (ASN) guidelines, people with kidney failure who want to focus on quality of life and independence — rather than intensive treatments like dialysis — have a recognized care option called conservative management. This approach centers on personalized kidney care, managing symptoms like pain or fatigue, and making sure patients move smoothly between different stages of care, all the way through end of life. A team of health professionals works closely with patients and their loved ones to make decisions together, based on what matters most to each individual person.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether conservative management—which focuses on managing symptoms and quality of life without dialysis—might be a good fit for what the patient wants out of their kidney disease care.
What's New
ScienceDaily · May 29, 2026
A large global study found that chronic kidney disease — a condition where the kidneys slowly lose their ability to filter waste from the blood — now affects nearly 800 million people worldwide and is one of the leading causes of death globally. What makes this especially concerning is that the disease often causes no noticeable symptoms in its early stages, meaning many people may have it without knowing, and it also raises the risk of serious heart problems like heart attacks or strokes. Researchers believe the condition may actually be even more widespread than these already striking numbers suggest.
What's New
PubMed · May 25, 2026
Researchers found that roxadustat, a pill used to treat anemia (low red blood cell counts) in people with chronic kidney disease who are on a type of home dialysis called peritoneal dialysis, helped raise hemoglobin — the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen — and improved how the body handles iron. The drug also lowered hepcidin, a hormone that can block the body from using iron properly, without causing notable changes in cholesterol, blood fats, or blood pressure. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
Guidelines
The Lancet · May 19, 2026
According to the World Health Assembly, all countries should make kidney care a national priority by focusing on catching kidney disease early, managing it properly, and making sure people who need kidney replacement therapy — treatments like dialysis or a transplant that take over when the kidneys can no longer do their job — can actually get it. This matters because chronic kidney disease affects 850 million people worldwide, and many of them, especially in lower-income countries, currently struggle to access even basic diagnosis and care. The resolution also calls for stronger primary care and better tracking of how well these efforts are working.
Medications
JAMA · May 19, 2026
The FDA announced the approval of the first generic versions of Farxiga, a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana that helps people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar control. This type of medication works by helping the kidneys remove extra sugar from the body through urine. This approval means a lower-cost version of the drug may now be available as an option for patients to discuss with their doctor.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether the patient could switch to generic dapagliflozin instead of the brand-name Farxiga to help manage blood sugar at a lower cost.
Lifestyle
PubMed · May 14, 2026
A study found that people with chronic kidney disease (CKD, a condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter the blood) who combined a low-protein diet with a tailored online exercise program three times a week for 12 weeks saw greater improvements in body composition and physical fitness than those who followed the low-protein diet alone. Both groups showed better blood sugar and cholesterol levels, as well as improved blood pressure control. Researchers found that adding the structured exercise routine on top of the diet appeared to offer extra benefits beyond diet changes on their own.
What's New
ScienceDaily · May 8, 2026
A press release highlights an unexpected finding: a medication commonly used to treat constipation may also help protect kidney function in people with chronic kidney disease — a long-term condition where the kidneys slowly lose their ability to filter waste from the blood. Researchers believe the drug works by changing the balance of gut bacteria in a way that produces more of a natural compound that keeps kidney cells healthier. It's not yet clear how this fits into everyday care for kidney disease patients, so anyone curious about this should bring it up with their doctor.
Medications
PubMed · May 7, 2026
This research looks at a drug called pentoxifylline, which has been around for decades and is sometimes used to improve blood flow. After pulling together results from 19 studies involving over 1,100 people with chronic kidney disease (a condition where the kidneys slowly lose their ability to filter the blood), researchers found that pentoxifylline appeared to help kidneys filter a little better, reduce protein leaking into urine (a sign of kidney stress), lower inflammation in the body, and modestly improve anemia (low red blood cell levels). This is more of an updated look at the evidence for an existing option rather than a brand-new treatment or a safety warning — it adds to what we know but is not a guideline change.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether pentoxifylline might help improve the patient's kidney function if the patient have chronic kidney disease.
What's New
PubMed · May 7, 2026
Researchers looking at a newer type of anemia medication — used for people with chronic kidney disease, which means long-term loss of kidney function — found that one drug called roxadustat noticeably lowered LDL cholesterol (sometimes called 'bad' cholesterol) and total cholesterol levels, which could potentially be good news for heart health down the road. However, it also lowered HDL cholesterol (the 'good' kind that helps protect the heart), so the full picture is more complicated than it first appears. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
Lifestyle
PubMed · May 6, 2026
This study looked at people with serious kidney disease who were on dialysis (a machine that filters the blood when the kidneys can no longer do it) and found that attending 7 one-on-one education sessions over 6 months helped them build healthier daily habits and stick to their treatment plans much more consistently. The sessions were spread across that 6-month period in a dialysis clinic, so each visit was a chance to ask questions and get personalized guidance — something a person could discuss requesting with their care team. The research doesn't spell out every specific habit covered, but the big takeaway is that regular, repeated personal coaching — not just a single conversation — was what moved the needle for this group.
Medications
PubMed · May 6, 2026
This study looked at two groups of diabetes medications — ones like Ozempic or Victoza and ones like Jardiance or Invokana — to see whether they affect the risk of acute kidney injury (a sudden, short-term drop in kidney function, different from long-term kidney disease). Researchers analyzed 67 studies involving nearly 200,000 people with type 2 diabetes and found that only high-dose tirzepatide (brand name Mounjaro, given at 10–15 mg per week) was linked to a meaningfully higher risk of acute kidney injury compared to a placebo, while the other medications did not show the same concern. This appears to be a safety update that adds important detail about individual drugs within these medication families, rather than treating them all as identical.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether the patient should know about the differences between GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and SGLT2 inhibitors like Jardiance when it comes to the risk of sudden kidney problems, since these two types of diabetes medicines might affect the kidneys differently.
What's New
PubMed · May 1, 2026
Researchers found that people with chronic kidney disease — a condition where the kidneys slowly lose their ability to filter the blood — who had stiffer arteries (measured by how fast a pulse wave travels through the body) were more likely to experience serious heart problems like heart attacks or strokes, or to die earlier. This matters because it raises the possibility that measuring artery stiffness could one day help doctors spot which kidney disease patients are at the highest risk before serious problems occur. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · May 1, 2026
Researchers are studying tiny particles that cells naturally release — called extracellular vesicles — which carry biological information and can be found in urine and blood, making them relatively easy to collect without invasive procedures. The interesting finding is that these particles might someday help doctors detect kidney disease earlier or even be used to deliver treatments directly to damaged kidney tissue in people with chronic kidney disease (a condition where the kidneys slowly lose their ability to filter waste from the body). This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · May 1, 2026
Researchers tested a computer tool built into doctors' software that gives real-time guidance to primary care doctors treating people with chronic kidney disease — a long-term condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter the blood. Early results from a large study in China suggested that this kind of tool might help doctors make better care decisions, such as prescribing helpful medications more consistently and keeping blood pressure and cholesterol better controlled. If the full study confirms these findings, it could eventually mean that people with kidney disease get more consistent, guideline-based care even in busy primary care settings. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · May 1, 2026
Researchers tested whether omega-3 fatty acid supplements (the kind found in fish oil) could reduce inflammation in people with chronic kidney disease who were receiving hemodialysis — a treatment that filters the blood when the kidneys can no longer do it well. They found that after two months, the supplements did not meaningfully lower two key inflammation markers in the blood compared to a dummy pill, meaning the difference seen could easily have been due to chance. The researchers themselves suggested that longer studies with more participants might still be worth exploring, so while this hints there may be limits to what short-term fish oil supplements can do for kidney disease-related inflammation, this is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
For informational purposes only. Not medical advice. Always consult a physician before making any health decisions.