A new study presented at the 63rd European Renal Association Congress finds that dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers (DCCBs), a widely prescribed class of blood pressure medications, may be linked to poorer kidney outcomes in patients with Type 2 diabetes and diabetic kidney disease.
Researchers analyzed data from over 31,000 adults with T2D who were already on standard kidney-protective therapies. Patients also taking DCCBs faced a 33% higher risk of major adverse kidney events-including a significant decline in kidney function or progression to kidney failure-compared to those on alternative blood pressure drugs.
The study suggests DCCBs may increase pressure within the kidney's filtering units, potentially causing ongoing damage. While observational, the findings call for prospective trials to determine if alternative therapies could offer better kidney protection.