How to Slow Chronic Kidney Disease: Medicines, Habits and Lab Checks

By Anna Curran, RN, BSN, PHN · Last reviewed October 2026

If you are wondering how to slow chronic kidney disease, the biggest steps are keeping your blood pressure and blood sugar in your target range, taking kidney-protecting medicines your provider prescribes and avoiding things that can harm your kidneys. Regular lab checks show whether the plan is working. Many people with CKD never reach kidney failure.

There are more tools to protect the kidneys now than ever before. Here is what each one does and what questions to bring to your next visit.

Why Slowing CKD Matters

Kidney damage that has already happened usually cannot be undone. But how fast CKD changes is not fixed. The cause of your kidney disease and how well it is managed make a real difference.

Slowing CKD can help you:

Keep the kidney function you have for longer
Delay or avoid dialysis
Lower your risk of heart attack and stroke, which are common with CKD

If you are still learning the basics, start with what is chronic kidney disease.

Control Your Blood Pressure

NIDDK calls blood pressure control the most important step you can take to protect your kidneys. High blood pressure damages the kidneys, and damaged kidneys raise blood pressure, so the two feed each other.

Your provider will set your personal blood pressure goal. MedlinePlus notes that a common goal is 130/80 or lower, but yours may be different.

Ways to help:

Take blood pressure medicines exactly as prescribed
Check your blood pressure at home if your provider suggests it, and write down the readings
Cut back on sodium (see our chronic kidney disease diet guide)
Stay active, aim for a healthy weight and get enough sleep

NIDDK notes that many people need two or more blood pressure medicines to reach their goal. That is common and does not mean you are doing anything wrong.

Manage Your Blood Sugar if You Have Diabetes

Diabetes is the leading cause of CKD. Keeping blood sugar in your target range protects the small blood vessels in your kidneys.

Check your blood sugar as your provider advises
Know your A1C, which shows your average blood sugar over about 3 months
Ask what your A1C goal is. NIDDK says it is below 7% for many people with diabetes, but your provider will set yours

Some diabetes medicines need a dose change as kidney function drops. Your provider and pharmacist will watch for this.

Medicines That Can Help Protect Your Kidneys

Several types of medicine have been shown to slow CKD. You may take one or more of them. Never start, stop or change a medicine on your own. Ask your provider whether any of these are right for you.

ACE inhibitors and ARBs

These blood pressure medicines can slow kidney damage, even in some people who do not have high blood pressure. ACE inhibitor names usually end in -pril (like lisinopril). ARB names usually end in -sartan (like losartan).

They can raise potassium, so your provider will check your blood work after you start.

SGLT2 inhibitors

These pills were first used for type 2 diabetes. Now some are FDA-approved to slow CKD in adults whether or not they have diabetes:

Dapagliflozin (Farxiga) was approved for CKD in April 2021
Empagliflozin (Jardiance) was approved for CKD in September 2023

Both are approved to lower the risk of kidney function decline, kidney failure, death from heart disease and hospital stays.

Finerenone (Kerendia)

Finerenone is a nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. The FDA approved it in July 2021 for adults with CKD linked to type 2 diabetes. It lowers the risk of kidney function decline, kidney failure, heart attack, death from heart disease and hospital stays for heart failure.

In September 2026, the FDA also approved finerenone for adults with CKD linked to type 1 diabetes. For this use, it lowers urine albumin, which is expected to lower the risk of kidney decline and kidney failure.

The FDA lists high potassium, low blood pressure and low sodium as possible side effects. Your potassium will be checked regularly.

Semaglutide (Ozempic)

Semaglutide is a weekly GLP-1 medicine for type 2 diabetes. In January 2025, the FDA approved Ozempic to lower the risk of kidney disease getting worse, kidney failure and death from heart disease in adults with type 2 diabetes and CKD.

The approval was based on the FLOW trial. People taking Ozempic 1 mg had a 24% lower relative risk of these outcomes than people taking a placebo.

Statins

The National Kidney Foundation also lists statins, which lower cholesterol, among the medicines used in CKD care. They help lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Avoid Things That Can Harm Your Kidneys

Damaged kidneys are more sensitive to some medicines and products.

NSAID pain relievers

NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) and aspirin at doses above 325 mg a day. The National Kidney Foundation explains that they reduce blood flow to the kidneys. They can cause sudden kidney injury or make CKD worse.

People with CKD should generally avoid NSAIDs unless their provider says otherwise. Watch for them in cold, flu and sleep products that combine several medicines.

The National Kidney Foundation says acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally considered safer for the kidneys at recommended doses. Still, check with your provider first, especially if you have liver disease. Low-dose aspirin for your heart is a separate question to ask your provider about.

Other products to ask about

Oral sodium phosphate bowel prep for colonoscopy can harm the kidneys. Remind the clinic you have CKD so they can choose a different prep.
Antacids with aluminum should be avoided with CKD, and those with magnesium can build up.
Herbal products and supplements may not be safe. Ask before taking any.
Prescription medicines may need a lower dose as your eGFR drops. Make sure every provider knows you have CKD.

Tips for safer medicine use:

Use one pharmacy so the pharmacist can check for problems
Keep an up-to-date list of all your medicines and supplements
Ask your pharmacist before buying any over-the-counter product

Do Not Smoke

Smoking can make kidney damage worse. Quitting also helps you reach your blood pressure goal and lowers your risk of heart attack and stroke. If you smoke, ask your provider about medicines and programs that can help you quit.

Stay Active and Aim for a Healthy Weight

Regular activity supports your kidneys, heart and mood. Walking is a good place to start. Begin slowly and check with your provider before starting a new exercise plan. If your care team recommends weight loss, they can help you make a plan.

Keep Up With Regular Lab Checks

Labs show whether your plan is working. NIDDK suggests tracking:

eGFR: the goal is to keep it stable
Urine albumin (UACR): the goal is to keep it the same or lower
Blood pressure: checked at every visit
A1C: if you have diabetes

Your provider may also check potassium, anemia and bone and mineral levels. How often you need labs depends on your stage. Ask how your results compare with last time. Our guide to chronic kidney disease stages explains what the numbers mean.

When to Get Emergency Help

Call 911 or go to the ER for chest pain, severe or worsening shortness of breath, or a racing or irregular heartbeat. A fast rise in potassium can cause these symptoms and can be life-threatening. Some kidney medicines can raise potassium, so take these signs seriously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take more than one kidney-protecting medicine?

Yes, many people do. For example, someone may take an ACE inhibitor or ARB along with an SGLT2 inhibitor. Your provider will decide what combination fits your health and lab results.

Is Ozempic approved for kidney disease without diabetes?

No. As of late 2026, Ozempic’s kidney approval is for adults with both type 2 diabetes and CKD. Talk with your provider about which medicines fit your situation.

Is it safe to take ibuprofen once in a while?

People with CKD should not treat themselves with NSAIDs like ibuprofen. Talk with your provider before taking any pain reliever, even an occasional one.

Will these steps keep me off dialysis?

There is no guarantee, but they lower the risk. Many people with CKD never need dialysis, especially when it is found early and well managed.

The Bottom Line

To slow chronic kidney disease, focus on blood pressure, blood sugar and the medicines your provider prescribes, such as ACE inhibitors or ARBs, SGLT2 inhibitors, finerenone or semaglutide when they fit. Avoid NSAIDs and ask before taking any new product. Do not smoke, stay active and keep up with your lab checks. Work closely with your care team, and never change your medicines on your own.