Final answer:
Treatment for passable kidney stones often includes alpha-blockers to facilitate passage, increased fluid intake, and pain medication. In more severe cases, lithotripsy or surgery may be required. Preventive medications may be prescribed to avoid stone formation in the future.
Step-by-step explanation:
The treatment for passable kidney stones varies depending on the size and position of the stone within the urinary tract. For relatively small kidney stones, treatment may involve increasing fluid intake to help flush the stone out, taking pain medication to manage discomfort, and monitoring the passage of the stone. Among pharmacological interventions, alpha-blockers like tamsulosin are often used to relax the muscles in the ureter, making it easier for the stone to pass. This is a common medication option to facilitate the passage of kidney stones.
Other treatments mentioned in the context, such as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors or PDE5 inhibitors, are not typically used for the treatment of kidney stones. Antibiotics are prescribed if there is an infection present. More aggressive interventions include extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), which involves the use of shock waves to break the stone into smaller pieces that can pass more easily, or surgical procedures in more severe cases.
Medications like thiazides, potassium citrate, magnesium citrate, and allopurinol may be prescribed to prevent future stone formation, depending on the underlying cause that led to the formation of stones.