For uric acid or cystine stones, your healthcare provider may prescribe medicines. You’ll take these for your lifetime. Medicines can’t dissolve calcium oxalate stones, but often help prevent them. If you have an infection stone, your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics. You may take these before and after your stone is removed.

Uric acid stones are caused by too much uric acid in your urine. This can be worsened by a high-meat diet. Allopurinol reduces uric acid. The stone can be dissolved with bicarbonate, potassium citrate, or a similar drug.

Cystine stones are caused by too much cystine (an amino acid) in your urine. This condition is uncommon and inherited. Penicillamine or tiopronin reduces cystine. Bicarbonate, potassium citrate, or a similar drug dissolves cystine stones.

Infection stones are caused by kidney or bladder infections that change the chemical balance of your urine. Antibiotics control the infection and may slow the stone’s growth. Then your stone is removed. Stone infections are caused by bacteria that make an enzyme called urease. Your healthcare provider may use a medicine to block this enzyme. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe medicines to relax the ureters and allow the stones to pass through more quickly.

Calcium stones are caused by a number of different things. If you have too much calcium in your urine, your healthcare provider may prescribe diuretics. If your urine has too much oxalate or if your stones are from too little citrate, your healthcare provider may give you a different medication.