Kidney stones prevention

Kidney stones prevention include dietary modifications and sometimes also taking drugs with the goal of reducing excretory load on the kidneys:

- Drinking enough water to make 2 to 2.5 liters of urine per day.
- A diet low in protein, nitrogen and sodium intake.
- Restriction of oxalate-rich foods, such as chocolate, nuts, soybeans, rhubarb and spinach, plus maintenance of an adequate intake of dietary calcium.

There is equivocal evidence that calcium supplements increase the risk of kidney stone formation, though calcium citrate appears to carry the lowest, if any, risk.
- Taking drugs such as thiazides, potassium citrate, magnesium citrate and allopurinol, depending on the cause of kidney stone formation.
- Some fruit juices, such as orange, blackcurrant, and cranberry, may be useful for lowering the risk factors for specific types of kidney stones. Orange juice may help prevent calcium oxalate stone formation, black currant may help prevent uric acid kidney stones, and cranberry may help with UTI-caused kidney stones.
- Avoidance of cola beverages.
- Avoiding large doses of vitamin C.