Protect Your Kidneys: New 2025 Diabetes Canada Guideline to Prevent Kidney Disease in Diabetes
Living with diabetes? Protecting your kidneys is more important than ever.
Diabetes Canada has just released an updated clinical practice guideline for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in people with diabetes, aiming to prevent end-stage kidney disease by combining healthy lifestyle changes and new evidence-based medications.
At Pill4Me Pharmacy, we’re committed to supporting your health with the latest clinical updates and personalized care plans. Here’s what you need to know about the new 2025 CKD guideline and how to stay ahead of kidney complications.
✅ Why Kidney Health Matters in Diabetes
People with diabetes are at high risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD), which can silently progress to kidney failure or cardiovascular complications (heart attack, stroke, heart failure) if left unchecked.
Early detection and appropriate treatment can slow or even prevent kidney damage. According to the new guideline, screening and personalized treatment can help most people with diabetes avoid dialysis or kidney transplant.
🔍 Key Screening Tools for Early Detection
If you live with diabetes, regular kidney screening is essential. Diabetes Canada recommends:
- Annual blood and urine tests, including:
- eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate)
- Random urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR)
- CKD is diagnosed if:
- eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m²
- ACR ≥ 2.0 mg/mmol (persisting for ≥ 3 months)
Don’t skip your lab work—these simple tests help detect early signs of kidney damage.
💊 Latest Recommended Treatments to Protect Kidneys
Managing blood sugar, blood pressure, and protein levels in urine are all essential. The 2025 guideline now recommends a powerful combination of four medication classes:
- RAAS inhibitors (RAASis)
(ACE inhibitors like lisinopril, or ARBs like telmisartan)
– First-line therapy to reduce protein in urine and protect kidney function. - SGLT2 inhibitors
(e.g., empagliflozin, dapagliflozin)
– Proven to slow CKD progression and prevent heart events. - GLP-1 receptor agonists
(e.g., semaglutide)
– Help reduce blood sugar and protect against kidney decline. - Nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (nsMRAs)
(e.g., finerenone)
– Added benefit for patients with diabetic kidney disease and high protein in urine.
👉 These medications are most effective when used in combination, starting with a RAASi at maximum tolerated dose. From there, your doctor may add one or more therapies based on your blood pressure, blood sugar, potassium levels, and risk scores.
⚠️ Watch for High Potassium (Hyperkalemia)
Kidney disease and certain medications can cause potassium levels to rise, which can be dangerous. Your care team may monitor potassium through blood tests and adjust your medications or diet accordingly.
If your potassium level is:
- Mildly high (up to 5.4 mmol/L) – dietary changes may help.
- Moderate (5.5–5.9 mmol/L) – medications to remove potassium may be added.
- Severe (≥ 6.0 mmol/L) – seek emergency care and pause medications like RAASi or nsMRAs.
🧠 What Can You Do Today?
Pill4Me Pharmacy encourages people with diabetes to take these steps:
- ✅ Get screened annually for kidney disease—even if you feel fine.
- ✅ Ask your doctor about your eGFR and ACR values.
- ✅ Follow a kidney-friendly lifestyle: quit smoking, eat a low-sodium diet, and stay active.
- ✅ Use medications that protect both your kidneys and your heart.
- ✅ Monitor your blood pressure—aim for below 130/80 mmHg.
- ✅ Talk to our pharmacy team about personalized medication reviews and support.
🏥 We’re Here to Help at Pill4Me
At Pill4Me Pharmacy, our pharmacists are trained to provide chronic disease management, including:
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Medication synchronization
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) education
- Help accessing kidney-protective medications
- One-on-one counseling sessions
We’re here to help you understand your lab results, monitor your treatment, and prevent complications—because managing diabetes isn’t just about blood sugar; it’s also about kidney protection.
📚 Reference
Tobe SW, Bajaj HS, Tangri N, et al. Chronic kidney disease in diabetes: a clinical practice guideline. Can J Diabetes. 2025;49:73–86. Published by Diabetes Canada. [Accessed May 27, 2025]