IgA Nephropathy

Treatment

Treatment for IgA nephropathy is directed at slowing disease progression and managing symptoms such as high blood pressure, protein in the urine (proteinuria) and swelling (edema) in the hands and feet.

Traditional treatments used to treat IgA nephropathy include:

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE) inhibitors – these medications are used to slow disease progression by limiting protein leakage from the kidney. ACE inhibitors also assist in hypertension management.
  
• Angiotensin II receptor blocker drugs (A2 ARB) – these medications also limit protein leakage from the kidney and slow disease progression.
  
• Fish oil – provides beneficial effects to the immune system.
  
• Steroids and other immunosuppressant medications – modify the immune system response to IgA nephropathy.

Additional novel therapies being tested in clinical trials through the Mayo Nephrology Collaborative Group are available for eligible patients.

For those patients who progress to renal failure, treatment may include:

• Dialysis — Mayo Clinic offers state-of-art dialysis treatment, including the option for in-home dialysis.
  
• Kidney transplantation — the Mayo Clinic Kidney Transplant Program offers pre-transplant consultation, living donor evaluation, kidney transplantation and post-transplantation care.