Treatments

Depending on the stage and severity of the condition, there are a number of different treatments for chronic kidney disease (CKD), including medication, dialysis and transplant.

  • Haemodialysis (HD)

    About haemodialysis: how it works, who needs it, how if affects you, side effects, and sources of further information and support

  • Peritoneal dialysis (PD)

    About peritoneal dialysis: what’s involved, different types of PD, how it works, benefits and drawbacks, and sources of further information and support

  • Transplantation

    Kidney transplantation is a treatment for severe kidney disease. It involves an operation to replace your damaged kidneys with a new kidney from either a living or deceased donor.

  • Conservative care

    We explain what conservative kidney management involves and what support is available to help you decide if it is the right treatment option for you.

  • Medication

    About medication for chronic kidney disease: types of medicines, things to be aware of, advice for buying over the counter, and sources of further information and support.

Patient information booklets in easy read format

Our free patient information booklets about chronic kidney disease (CKD), dialysis and receiving a kidney transplant are available in easy read format to download as a PDF and to order as a printed booklet

Order or download our easy read patient information booklets
Dialysis explained

CKD treatments: dialysis

This ‘What is dialysis’ video has been created by clinicians at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust to help you understand what dialysis is.

Understanding CKD stages and treatment

The five stages of kidney disease indicate how well your kidneys are working. At each stage, your medical team will treat you to help keep your kidneys working as well as possible, for as long as possible.

Medication for CKD

If you have mild CKD (stages 1 to 3) you may not be prescribed any specific medications for your kidneys. If your CKD is more severe, you may be prescribed specific medication to treat your symptoms, to help with dialysis or to prepare you for a possible kidney transplant.

80 years of the ‘artificial kidney'

Kidney care has come so far, and dialysis treatments continue to save thousands of lives every year. From sausage skins to secret labs, here are ten facts about the history of dialysis you may not know.
Dialysis through the years

Latest treatment and medication news

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    NICE recommends new treatment for IgA nephropathy (IgAN)

  • Treatment and medication

    Scottish Medicines Consortium approval for extended access to dapagliflozin for CKD patients in Scotland

  • Treatment and medication

    NICE releases draft guidance recommending against use of new drug for IgA nephropathy (IgAN)

  • Treatment and medication

    AI tool detects diabetes-related kidney disease risk years before symptoms appear
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