Treating Primary Hyperoxaluria

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Hed: Treating Primary Hyperoxaluria

Dek: This rare disorder causes kidney stones and possibly kidney damage. Find out more about your treatment options.

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Primary hyperoxaluria is a rare genetic disorder where your body creates too much of a substance called oxalate.

When too much oxalate builds up in the kidneys and combines with calcium, it forms kidney stones and can lead to kidney failure.

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There are three types of PH: 

PH1

PH2

PH3 

Treatment options depend on which type of PH you have, but the treatment goal for all forms of PH is to prevent oxalate from building up in the kidneys and other parts of your body.

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Some treatment options include:

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)

When taken at high doses, vitamin B6 can help lower oxalate levels. This treatment works for about 3 out of 10 people. It is only useful for patients with PH1.

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Prescription Medications

Lumasiran and nedosiran can be given as injections under the skin to lower oxalate levels. These medications are only useful for patients with PH1.

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Drinking Plenty of Fluids

Drinking a lot of fluid (especially water) each day can help flush the oxalate out of your body.

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Citrate or Bicarbonate Salts

Too much acid in your urine increases the risk of kidney stones. Consuming citrate and bicarbonate salt like:

Potassium citrate

Potassium bicarbonate

Sodium citrate

Sodium bicarbonate 

can lower the acidity of your urine.

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Avoiding High Levels of Vitamin C

Too much vitamin C in your diet — from food or supplements — can raise oxalate.

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Avoiding Foods High in Oxalate

High-oxalate foods include:

Nuts

Chocolate

Sweet potatoes

Plums

Beets

Rhubarb

Spinach

Tofu

Strawberries

If you choose to eat these foods, eat calcium-rich foods as well to help prevent the oxalate from reaching your kidneys and creating kidney stones.

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How well primary hyperoxaluria treatments work depends on your overall health and how severe your condition is.

Talk to your healthcare provider about what might work for you.

This educational resource was created with support from Alnylam.