Primary Nephrotic Syndrome Treatment Options
Treating primary Nephrotic Syndrome includes preserving kidney function as well as taking steps to reduce high blood pressure, swelling, high cholesterol, and the risks of infection. Treatment may vary from patient to patient, depending on age, disease, genetic results, kidney function and how well they respond to steroids.
Prednisone (steroids)
Usually, patients are treated with prednisone first. Prednisone belongs to a class of drugs known as corticosteroids. Corticosteroids work by decreasing the body’s immune system response to various diseases or conditions that produce symptoms such as swelling, inflammation, and allergic-type reactions.
To learn more about prednisone and Nephrotic Syndrome, please visit the NephCure website.
Second-line treatments
If steroids fail to cause remission (usually within 8-12 weeks), or if a patient becomes “steroid dependent,” a second-line treatment may be tried. Some second-line treatments include:
Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH Acthar Gel)
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
Cyclosporine (Neoral)
Methylprednisolone (Solu Medrol)
Mycophenolate (MMF, Cellcept, Myfortic)
Plasmapheresis (Liposorber)
Prograf (Tacrolimus)
Rituxan (Rituximab)
Clinical Trials
There are a number of other potential treatments that may reduce proteinuria (protein in the urine) in primary Nephrotic Syndrome patients. You can use this website to find a list of clinical trials for which you may be eligible. Ask your doctor about these trials and whether they might be right for you.
Additional Information
Your doctor may recommend a combination of treatments. Sometimes, a specific diet and other lifestyle changes will be recommended in lieu of or in addition to medications.
All medications have different side effects, so the treatment chosen by you and your doctor should take side effects into account. If you are unhappy with the side effects you are experiencing, talk to your doctor about other options you may have.
*Note: The decision to prescribe a medication is the responsibility of your physician/primary care provider based on his/her evaluation of your condition. The above is meant for informational purposes only. Discuss this information and all information about drugs/medications with your physician before starting or stopping any medication.
