From the Guidelines
For kidney stone pain, the most effective treatment is a combination of over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) at 400-800mg every 6-8 hours or naproxen (Aleve) at 220-440mg every 8-12 hours, along with increased fluid intake to help flush out the stone. The goal of treatment is to reduce pain, inflammation, and the risk of complications, while also promoting the passage of the stone. Some key points to consider when treating kidney stone pain include:
- Drinking plenty of water (2-3 liters daily) to help flush out the stone and strain your urine to catch the stone for analysis 1
- Using alpha-blockers like tamsulosin (Flomax) at 0.4mg daily to help stones pass more easily by relaxing ureter muscles
- Seeking immediate medical attention if pain is severe, accompanied by fever, vomiting, or inability to urinate, as these may indicate complications requiring urgent intervention It's also important to note that the treatment of kidney stones depends on the size and location of the stone, as well as the presence of any underlying medical conditions 1. In general, the treatment of kidney stones should prioritize the reduction of pain and inflammation, while also promoting the passage of the stone and preventing complications. Some of the key factors to consider when evaluating the treatment of kidney stones include:
- The size and location of the stone
- The presence of any underlying medical conditions
- The severity of symptoms, including pain and nausea
- The risk of complications, such as infection or obstruction By considering these factors and using a combination of medications and increased fluid intake, it is possible to effectively manage kidney stone pain and promote the passage of the stone.
From the Research
Kidney Stones Pain Medication
- The study 2 investigated the efficacy of tamsulosin in combination with ibuprofen and oxycodone for the treatment of ureteral calculi in a general emergency department population.
- The results showed that the combination of tamsulosin, ibuprofen, and oxycodone did not substantially improve outcome measures such as successful spontaneous stone expulsion, time to stone passage, and self-reported pain scores compared to treatment with ibuprofen and oxycodone alone.
- The study found that 77.1% of subjects in the tamsulosin group and 64.9% of subjects in the standard therapy group reported spontaneous stone passage at 14 days, with no clinically important differences between the groups for any secondary outcome measures.
- The medications used for pain management in the study were:
- Ibuprofen
- Oxycodone
- The study did not find any adverse events reported in either group, suggesting that the combination of tamsulosin, ibuprofen, and oxycodone is safe for use in patients with ureteral calculi.