Shock Wave Lithotripsy

The Latest Advancement in the Treatment of Kidney Stones

Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) has, for the first time, provided a completely noninvasive technique for the managment of kidney stone disease. The procedure has been in use worldwide for nearly 20 years and has revolutionized the management of kidney stone disease by "blasting" stones into smaller particles that are easier to pass through the urine.

Put an End to Post-SWL Recurrences

Treatment advancements, such as SWL, are successful at removing stones, but the technique cannot help prevent stone recurrence. Reason being, SWL has no effect on underlying metabolic abnormalities and does not alter a patient's predisposition to recurrent stone formation. In addition, residual stone fragments remain in approximately 30% of the patients treated with SWL, which can lead to clinically relevant recurrences of stone formation.

Preventative therapy with Urocit®-K (potassium citrate, wax-matrix tablets) picks up where SWL leaves off. Urocit®-K actually helps to reduce stone-forming activity from residual stone fragments after SWL, by correcting the abnormal metabolic environment. 1

Soygur T, Akbay A, Kupeli S. Effect of Potassium Citrate Therapy on Stone Recurrence and Residual Fragments after Shockwave Lithotripsy in Lower Caliceal Calcium Oxalate Urolithiasis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J. Endourol. 2002: 16(3), 149-152. For a copy of this article, contact Mission Pharmacal customer support at (210) 696-8400.