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I am 58, male. Can diabetes medicines affect my kidneys?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 58-year-old man with diabetes and high blood pressure who has been feeling more tired than usual and having trouble concentrating at work. I have noticed my ankles and feet are swollen by the end of the day, and I am not urinating as much as I used to. My recent blood work showed some kidney function problems, and my doctor mentioned my creatinine levels are elevated. I am worried about what this means for my future health and whether my diabetes and blood pressure medications might be affecting my kidneys.

Kindly help.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Elevated creatinine on your recent blood work suggests that your kidneys are not filtering waste products as effectively as they should, which is often a sign of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Since you have a history of diabetes and high blood pressure, these are the two most common causes of kidney damage over time. Some medications used to manage blood pressure or diabetes can also affect kidney function, though many (such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers) are prescribed to protect the kidneys in the long term.

What this means for your future health is that careful management is essential to slow progression. This includes keeping your blood sugar and blood pressure under tight control, following up regularly with your doctor or a nephrologist, monitoring kidney function with blood and urine tests, avoiding excess salt, staying well hydrated, and avoiding over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers like Ibuprofen unless advised.

Depending on the severity of your kidney changes, your doctor may adjust your medications or diet to reduce strain on the kidneys. The important thing is that kidney problems detected early can often be stabilized and slowed, preventing or delaying more serious complications.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.

Answered byDr. Ashraf Ghani

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At October 31, 2025
Reviewed AtOctober 31, 2025

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