Photo: Pixabay

What causes false high creatinine?

Cimetidine is a common cause of a falsely elevated creatinine test, according to a 2012 review of related research. Cimetidine can increase the creatinine level by about 15% in people who have normal kidney function. Creatinine levels will usually return to normal when someone stops taking it.

goodrx.com - 4 Medications That Can Raise Your Creatinine Level on a Blood Test

Is zinc Good for pressure?

Zinc plays a vital role in controlling blood pressure, largely down to its role in sodium absorption. The more sodium that remains in the body, the...

Last updated Jun 8, 2019

Is it healthy to milk your prostate?

It can help ease pressure and swelling by releasing fluids that build up in the prostate. Small studies have found that massaging the area several...

Last updated Aug 3, 2021

Promotion

Key takeaways: A high creatinine level on a blood test can be a sign of decreased kidney function or kidney disease. Some medications can increase the level of creatinine on lab tests without actually hurting the kidneys. This includes some antibiotics, antacids, and cholesterol medications. If your creatinine level is above normal range, follow up with your healthcare provider to make sure your kidneys are OK. This is especially true if you have a history of kidney problems. After a blood test, it’s easy to worry about the results. Will they be normal? What problems will they reveal? One of the most common reasons your healthcare provider might call you for an abnormal lab result is a high creatinine level . Creatinine is a substance in the blood that the kidneys remove. Providers use it to measure kidney function. If your creatinine level is above normal range, this could mean your kidneys are not functioning at their best. But this is not always the case. Many conditions and medications can cause real problems for kidneys. But there are a few medications that elevate creatinine levels without actually affecting kidney function.

Common medications that cause high creatinine levels without hurting the kidneys

1. Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim/Septra)

Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim) is an antibiotic that people take for urinary tract infections (UTIs), skin infections, and some upper respiratory infections. This medication causes the body to retain more creatinine than you normally would. And this may elevate your creatinine blood test even though your kidneys are working perfectly fine. In one study of people who had a kidney transplant, taking trimethoprim caused false increases in the creatinine level even though the kidneys were otherwise working normally.

2. Cimetidine (Tagamet)

Cimetidine (Tagamet) is an acid blocker that people take for acid reflux and heartburn symptoms. It decreases the amount of creatinine the body clears but does not harm the kidneys. Cimetidine is a common cause of a falsely elevated creatinine test, according to a 2012 review of related research. Cimetidine can increase the creatinine level by about 15% in people who have normal kidney function. Creatinine levels will usually return to normal when someone stops taking it. Famotidine (Pepcid) and ranitidine (Zantac) — two related heartburn medications — do not cause the same false elevations of serum creatinine.

3. IV cephalosporin antibiotics

Cephalosporin antibiotics treat skin infections, ear infections, UTIs, and respiratory tract infections. Some of them can interfere with the creatinine blood test. Studies show that IV (intravenous) cefoxitin and cefazolin can falsely elevate creatinine levels. But the good news is that none of the commonly prescribed oral cephalosporins would falsely elevate creatinine. These include cephalexin (Keflex), cefuroxime (Ceftin), and cefaclor (Ceclor).

4. Fenofibrate (Tricor)

What foods make you sleep at night?

Here are the 9 best foods and drinks you can have before bed to enhance your quality of sleep. Almonds. Almonds are a type of tree nut with many...

Last updated Feb 17, 2022

How much does it cost to publish a story?

The cost of publishing a book varies greatly but self-published authors can expect to spend anywhere from $100-$2500 to publish a book based on...

Last updated Jan 23, 2018

Promotion

Fenofibrate (Tricor) lowers triglyceride levels and improves cholesterol. People take this when they have very high triglyceride levels or a high risk for heart disease. It causes the body to make more creatinine than normal. This can result in a creatinine level above normal range, but this has nothing to do with kidney function.

Less commonly prescribed medications that can elevate serum creatinine

There are many other medications that have been reported to cause high serum creatinine without any true harm to the kidneys. These include:

Pyrimethamine (a medication to treat parasites)

Aloxiprin (a salicylate drug used in some types of arthritis)

Phenacemide (an anti-seizure medication)

High doses of prednisone (a steroid used in many different conditions)

If you’re taking a new medication and notice a change in your creatinine level, it makes sense to look into whether the medication might be the cause.

What else can elevate creatinine levels?

Medications aren’t the only thing that can increase creatinine levels. Things that may increase your creatinine level and don’t suggest long-term kidney disease include: Dehydration can temporarily increase creatinine levels. It’s usually easy to figure out if this is the case because your BUN (another blood test) will also be elevated.

Eating a lot of protein can raise creatinine levels.

Athletes with a lot of muscle mass naturally have a high creatinine level. Creatine — a common supplement for bodybuilders and other athletes — can increase blood creatinine levels.

Should you worry if your creatinine levels are high?

In a word, yes. Many common medications can cause real problems with the kidneys — like ibuprofen, antibiotics, and blood pressure medications. And it’s more likely that an elevated creatinine level indicates a true change in kidney function rather than a false alarm. So if you have an elevated creatinine level, it’s important to talk to your provider about whether this could be a sign of kidney disease . Your creatinine range over time can also provide information about whether an elevated creatinine level reflects kidney problems. The bottom line If your blood test shows a creatinine level above normal range, there are many possible explanations for this. And one of them could be your medications. Some medications can potentially harm your kidney function. But other medications — like certain antibiotics, heartburn medications, and cholesterol medications — can simply change the results of the blood test. Talk to your healthcare provider about additional testing to see whether your kidneys are functioning normally.

Was this page helpful? thumb_up_outlined thumb_down_outlined

goodrx.com - 4 Medications That Can Raise Your Creatinine Level on a Blood Test

Does an enlarged prostate ever get smaller?

While it's difficult to completely reverse an enlarged prostate, there are several treatments that can relieve symptoms, reduce the size of the...

Last updated Mar 8, 2019

How do you reduce acid in your body?

Eating a well-rounded diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats is a great way to help balance your dietary acid load and...

Last updated May 7, 2022

Promotion

Is pink Himalayan salt good for high blood pressure?

Dietary Benefits Of Pink Himalayan Salt Controls high blood pressure as it is lower in sodium than table salt. Contrary to regular salt, pink...

Last updated Jun 2, 2018

Imagine Your Moment Of Freedom!

Fluxactive Complete is conveniently packed with over 14 essential prostate powerhouse herbs, vitamins and grade A nutrients which work synergistically to help you support a healthy prostate faster

Learn More »

Promotion

How long should you take zinc?

You should not take high doses of zinc for more than a few days unless your doctor tells you to. Talk to your doctor before taking more than 40 mg...

Last updated Mar 23, 2019