Research
Hormonal
Phentermine and Phentermine/Topiramate are associated with a higher incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and kidney injury events compared to other anti-obesity medications, and require dose adjustments in CKD stages 3+.
Avoid stimulant-based weight loss drugs like phentermine if you have CKD, especially stage 3 or higher. They carry a higher risk of kidney injury and require dose adjustments. GLP-1 medications are a safer and more effective option for protecting your kidneys while losing weight.
ModerateRefutesMEDIUM confidence
phentermine was associated with the highest incidence of AKI and injury... Phentermine-topiramate... has the second highest number of AKI/kidney injury events... dose adjustments are required in CKD stages 3 or higher
Why this rating
Based on postmarketing adverse event reports and case reports, not large RCTs in CKD.
Source
Obesity and Kidney Disease
Csaba P. Kövesdy et al. · Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease · 2017
DOI 10.1177/2054358117698669
narrative_reviewCited 194×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- GLP-1 receptor agonists (liraglutide, semaglutide, tirzepatide) induce significant weight loss and provide renoprotective effects (reduced albuminuria and slower eGFR decline) in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD), with efficacy potentially maintained or enhanced in lower eGFR subgroups.Good
- Orlistat use in CKD patients is associated with a risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to oxalate nephropathy, requiring monitoring of urinary oxalate.Moderate
Related findings · Hormonal
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