Polycystic Kidney Disease: Treatment Overview

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a chronic and progressive condition. It causes cysts to form on the kidneys, and this can harm kidney function over time. Treatments — including medications and healthy habits — may help slow this progression.

What are healthy habits for treating polycystic kidney disease?

A healthy lifestyle may help reduce the strain on the kidneys by:

• Reducing blood pressure

• Managing weight

• Reducing risk of type 2 diabetes

Your care team can provide more information on recommended habits to manage your PKD, but in addition to limiting or avoiding smoking and alcohol, it generally includes:

1. Eat a heart-healthy diet

To manage blood pressure, it may help to monitor sodium intake. Diets high in sodium may increase the risk of high blood pressure, which may put strain on the kidneys.

A heart-healthy diet also usually includes an emphasis on:

• Fruits

• Vegetables

• Whole grains

• Lean protein

2. Drink plenty of water

Good hydration may be helpful if you have PKD and/or are on certain medications to treat PKD. Water intake should be discussed with your kidney specialist.

3. Exercise regularly

Regular physical activity is helpful for managing blood pressure, weight, and diabetes risk. The general recommendation is to get 150 minutes of moderate activity a week. This could be half an hour of exercise five days a week, for example. You should talk to your doctor about what is a safe exercise regimen for you. 

What are medications to treat polycystic kidney disease?

One type of medication for PKD is known as a vasopressin 2 receptor (V2R) antagonist. V2R antagonists aim to help reduce cyst formation on the kidneys. Over time, this may help slow the decline of kidney function.

If you have PKD as well as high blood pressure, your care team may prescribe medications that improve blood pressure control. Two common options include:

• ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors

• ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers)

For general pain relief, your care team may suggest acetaminophen (depending on your other medications). This may be safer for you than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen. NSAIDs may have harmful effects on the kidneys. 

You still need to be careful about using the recommended doses of acetaminophen. Safe dosing can help reduce the risk of liver damage.

What procedures may help treat polycystic kidney disease?

When PKD is severe, you may be eligible for additional procedures.

Your healthcare provider may recommend a cyst aspiration if your cysts are large and/or causing a lot of pain. This is a procedure to drain fluid from the cyst.

If your kidney function is low enough, you may be eligible for dialysis. This is a treatment to help perform the function of the kidneys, such as filtering waste from blood. The type of dialysis used for PKD is usually hemodialysis through a catheter in your arm’s artery and vein.

Finally, if your kidney function is very low (such as below 20 percent), and depending on your other medical conditions, you may be a candidate for a kidney transplant. 

Thankfully, newer treatments for PKD — including V2R antagonists — may help reduce the need for dialysis and kidney transplantation. Research may continue to refine medications for PKD and improve treatment outcomes.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Lauren Smith, MA

Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.

Reviewed by:

Alexandra Schwarz, MD

Alexandra Schwarz, MD, is a board-eligible sleep medicine physician and a board-certified family medicine physician. She is a member of both the AASM and the ABFM.

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