Hospital papers
What Is Dialysis? Kidney Treatment and Medicine Labels
Dialysis · say it: dy-AL-ih-sisAlso written: renal replacement therapy, kidney dialysis, RRT
Short answer
Dialysis is a treatment that removes waste and extra fluid from the blood when the kidneys can no longer do this well enough.
What it means
Dialysis does part of the work of healthy kidneys: it filters waste, extra salt and water from the blood. It is used when kidneys fail, either suddenly or after long-term kidney disease. There are two main types: hemodialysis, where a machine filters the blood, and peritoneal dialysis, where the lining of the belly is used as a filter with fluid passed in and out through a tube.
Medicine labels mention dialysis because many medicines are cleared by the kidneys. People on dialysis may need lower doses, different timing, or to avoid certain medicines altogether. Some medicines are removed by dialysis and need to be given afterwards. Labels for medicines in overdose sometimes say whether dialysis helps remove the drug.
Dialysis is not a kidney transplant; it replaces some kidney functions but not all, such as some hormone functions. Some people on dialysis also take medicines to support those other functions.
Where you may see it
- Dosing sections of labels: 'patients on dialysis'
- Overdose sections: 'dialyzable' or 'not removed by dialysis'
- Kidney clinic letters
📄 How it looks on a report
Not removed by dialysis. Use with caution in patients with end-stage renal disease.
🙅 What it does not mean
- It does not mean you will need dialysis because a label mentions it.
- Dialysis does not repair the kidneys.
- Medicines are not all affected by dialysis in the same way; each label says what applies.
🎯 Check yourself
Which of these is the right meaning of “Dialysis”?
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
🧾 Reports where you will see “Dialysis”
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💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Dialysis”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Alendronate
a bisphosphonate, a medicine that slows the breakdown of bone by blocking cells called osteoclasts
- Allopurinol
a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, a prescription medicine that acts on uric acid
- Ampicillin Sodium
a penicillin-type antibacterial medicine
- Ceftriaxone
A broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic, as described on the official FDA label
- Cephalexin
a cephalosporin antibacterial medicine (an antibiotic that treats bacterial infections)
- Cetirizine
an antihistamine of the selective H1-receptor antagonist type
- Ciprofloxacin
a fluoroquinolone antibacterial medicine
- Dolutegravir
an HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI), a type of HIV medicine
- Doxycycline
a tetracycline-class antibacterial medicine (an antibiotic)
- Enalapril
An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Dialysis” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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More words: hospital papers
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