Treatment

Treatment depends on the type, symptoms and severity of hyperoxaluria and how well you respond to treatment.

Reducing oxalate

To reduce the amount of calcium oxalate crystal formation in your kidneys, your doctor may recommend one or more of these treatments:

• Medications. Lumasiran (Oxlumo) is a medicine that decreases the production of oxalate in children and adults with primary hyperoxaluria. Prescription doses of vitamin B-6 can be effective in reducing oxalate in the urine in some people with primary hyperoxaluria. Oral preparations of phosphates and citrate help prevent the formation of calcium oxalate crystals. Other medications, such as thiazide diuretics, also may be considered, depending on which other abnormalities are present in your urine.
• High fluid intake. If your kidneys are still functioning normally, your doctor will likely tell you to drink more water or other fluids. This flushes the kidneys, prevents oxalate crystal buildup and helps keep kidney stones from forming.
• Dietary changes. In general, paying attention to your diet is more important if you have enteric or dietary hyperoxaluria. Your doctor may recommend changes to your diet including restricting foods high in oxalates, limiting salt, and decreasing animal protein and sugar (high fructose corn syrup). Dietary changes like these may help to lower the levels of oxalate in your urine. But dietary restrictions may not be effective for all people with primary hyperoxaluria. Follow your doctor's recommendations.

Kidney stone management

Kidney stones are common in people with hyperoxaluria, but they don't always need to be treated. If large kidney stones are causing pain or blocking urine flow, you may need to have them removed or broken up so they can pass in the urine.

Dialysis and transplantation

Depending on the severity of your hyperoxaluria, you may eventually lose kidney function. Kidney dialysis may help temporarily, but it doesn't keep up with the amount of oxalate produced. A kidney transplant or kidney and liver transplant can cure certain inherited types of hyperoxaluria (primary hyperoxaluria).