Finerenone

What is finerenone?

Finerenone is a type of medicine called a non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (nsMRA). Finerenone is the only nsMRA available in the U.S. It is a tablet you take by mouth. 

Finerenone is used for people with: 

• Chronic kidney disease 
• Type 2 diabetes 

Finerenone can: 

• Keep the filters (called glomeruli) in your kidneys healthy) 
• Lower your urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR). A UACR can tell you how much protein is in your urine, which is a sign of kidney damage. 
• Lower your chance of having kidney failure, heart failure, a heart attack, or stroke 

How does finerenone slow down the damage to my kidneys?

Finerenone slows down the damage to your kidneys by lowering the effect of aldosterone in your body. Aldosterone is a hormone (a chemical messenger) that helps balance your blood pressure by managing the amount of salt in your blood. In diseases like diabetes or chronic kidney disease, the body produces too much aldosterone. Too much aldosterone can cause your body to keep too much salt and water in your blood, which raises your blood pressure. Too much aldosterone can also cause scarring in the heart and kidneys. High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in your kidneys, causing them to not work as well.

What are some common side effects of finerenone?

Taking finerenone may cause low blood pressure and a high amount of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia). 

Symptoms of low blood pressure may include: 

• Feeling weak, dizzy, or lightheaded 
• Feeling tired (fatigue) 

You may have only a few, or no, symptoms of hyperkalemia. Your doctor will likely do blood tests to check the amount of potassium in your blood after you start taking finerenone.  

Signs of severe hyperkalemia may include: 

• Muscle weakness or numbness 
• Feeling sick to your stomach (nausea) 
• A fast-beating heart (heart palpitations) 
• Chest pain

It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about medication and medication management questions you have.