Potassium-magnesium citrate is an effective prophylaxis against recurrent calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the efficacy of potassium-magnesium citrate in preventing recurrent calcium oxalate kidney calculi.


METHODS
We conducted a prospective double-blind study of 64 patients who were randomly assigned to receive placebo or potassium-magnesium citrate (42 mEq. potassium, 21 mEq. magnesium, and 63 mEq. citrate) daily for up to 3 years. RESULTS. New calculi formed in 63.6% of subjects receiving placebo and in 12.9% of subjects receiving potassium-magnesium citrate. When compared with placebo, the relative risk of treatment failure for potassium-magnesium citrate was 0.16 (95% confidence interval 0.05 to 0.46). Potassium-magnesium citrate had a statistically significant effect (relative risk 0.10, 95% confidence interval 0.03 to 0.36) even after adjustment for possible confounders, including age, pretreatment calculous event rate and urinary biochemical abnormalities.


CONCLUSIONS
Potassium-magnesium citrate effectively prevents recurrent calcium oxalate stones, and this treatment given for up to 3 years reduces risk of recurrence by 85%.
Ettinger
B
B
Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, Oakland, California 94611-5714, USA.
Pak
C Y
CY
Citron
J T
JT
Thomas
C
C
Adams-Huet
B
B
Vangessel
A
A
D000328:Adult; D002951:Citrates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017616:Magnesium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D013997:Time Factors
D002951:Citrates; D004338:Drug Combinations; D017616:Magnesium Compounds; D017680:Potassium Compounds; C066902:potassium-magnesium citrate