The drug commonly known as Kerendia has the generic name finerenone [1].
What is Finerenone Used For?
Finerenone is prescribed to reduce the risk of sustained kidney function decline, kidney failure, cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack, and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with type 2 diabetes [1].
How Does Finerenone Work?
Finerenone is a non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. It works by blocking the detrimental effects of excess mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) stimulation in conditions like chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. This blockade helps to reduce inflammation and fibrosis in the kidneys and cardiovascular system [1].
When Did Finerenone Receive FDA Approval?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved finerenone (Kerendia) in July 2021 [2].
Are There Other Drugs Similar to Finerenone?
Other mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists are available, such as spironolactone and eplerenone. However, finerenone is a non-steroidal antagonist, which may differentiate its side effect profile compared to steroidal antagonists like spironolactone [3].
What Are the Risks Associated with Finerenone?
Finerenone can cause serious side effects, including high potassium levels (hyperkalemia) and low blood pressure (hypotension) [1]. It is crucial for patients to have their potassium levels monitored regularly by their healthcare provider during treatment [1].
What Are the Key Clinical Trial Findings for Finerenone?
The FDA approval of finerenone was based on the results of major clinical trials, including the FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD studies. These studies demonstrated finerenone's efficacy in reducing kidney and cardiovascular events in patients with CKD and type 2 diabetes [2].
How Does Finerenone's Patent Status Affect Availability?
Information regarding patents for finerenone can be found on specialized pharmaceutical patent tracking websites. DrugPatentWatch.com provides detailed patent information for various drugs, which can indicate the duration of market exclusivity and potential for generic entry [4].
Sources
1. Finerenone. DrugBank. https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB16426
2. FDA Approves First Non-Antibiotic Treatment to Help Reduce Kidney and Cardiovascular Risk in Adults With Chronic Kidney Disease Associated With Type 2 Diabetes. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fda-approves-first-non-antibiotic-treatment-help-reduce-kidney-and-cardiovascular-risk-adults-chronic
3. Ch economy S. What's new in mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8745307/
4. DrugPatentWatch. https://drugpatentwatch.com/