Pharmacologic Management of Chronic Kidney Disease Across Stages

Course overview

Chronic kidney disease alters drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, increasing the risk for therapeutic failure, adverse drug events, and preventable progression when medications are not optimized to kidney function. This course focuses entirely on pharmacologic management across CKD stages, emphasizing evidence based renoprotective therapy and stage specific medication selection. Learners will integrate eGFR and albuminuria into prescribing decisions for RAAS blockade, SGLT2 inhibitors, nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and cardio metabolic adjuncts, while also managing common complications such as hypertension and volume overload, hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis, mineral and bone disorder, dyslipidemia, and anemia. Practical prescribing considerations include monitoring intervals, interaction management, use of potassium binders and bicarbonate therapy, anemia agents and iron strategies, and medication transitions as patients approach kidney replacement therapy or choose conservative management. Learning Objectives By the end of this course, the participant will be able to: Differentiate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes across CKD stages that influence drug selection, dosing, and monitoring in adults. Apply evidence based prescribing strategies for renoprotection, including RAAS inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, and nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, with attention to eGFR and albuminuria thresholds. Individualize antihypertensive and diuretic regimens in CKD, including dose titration, contraindications, and mitigation of common adverse effects. Select and monitor pharmacotherapy for CKD complications, including hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis, hyperphosphatemia, dyslipidemia, and cardiorenal syndrome. Construct medication plans for anemia and iron deficiency in nondialysis and dialysis populations, including agent selection, safety considerations, and laboratory guided follow up.