Peritoneal Dialysis Side Effects and Warnings

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have peritoneal dialysis, your doctor will review a list of possible complications. These may include:

• Lowering your red blood count and causing anemia
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea, vomiting
• Headaches
• Feeling hot, sweaty, weak, and/or dizzy
• Infection of the abdominal cavity
• Inflammation of the heart sac ( pericarditis )
• Neurologic problems
• Disruption of calcium and phosphorus balance, resulting in weakened bones

Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Adhesions or significant abdominal scar tissue
• Infection of the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity)
• Abdominal hernia
• Diverticulitis —an infection of a pouch that forms in the wall of the large intestine
• Abdominal defects

Call Your Doctor

Contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Redness, swelling, warmth, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge at the catheter or tube insertion site
• Blood or cloudiness in the peritoneal dialysis fluid
• Nausea or vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Dizziness or weakness

In case of an emergency, CALL 911.