What Is A Creatinine Test?

Preparing For The Blood Test

There is not much preparation needed for a blood test to determine a patient's creatinine levels. A patient undergoing a creatinine blood test should not fast, as it is not necessary. They must eat and drink as they typically would to produce a more accurate test result. An individual who is going to have a creatinine blood test should inform their physician of any prescription or over-the-counter medications they are taking at the time. The reason for this disclosure is because certain types of medications can alter the results of a creatinine test. Some medications cause an increased level of creatinine in the blood even when the patient has perfectly functional kidneys. Medications that may interfere with the creatinine blood test include cimetidine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and acetylsalicylic acid, any chemotherapy drugs, and cephalosporin antibiotics like cefuroxime and cephalexin. A patient's physician may advise them to stop taking certain medications a few days before undergoing the creatinine test for more accurate results.

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