Kerendia (generic name: finerenone) belongs to the class of drugs called nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs). Finerenone reduces the risk of complications in adults suffering from stage 3 and 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes can damage the kidneys because high blood sugar levels can injure the blood vessels and filtering cells (nephrons) in the kidneys. People with diabetes can also develop chronic high blood pressure, which can damage the kidneys as well.
Untreated kidney disease may result in:
- Worsening kidney function
- Heart attack or cardiac failure
- Risk of hospitalization for heart failure
- End-stage kidney disease
- Cardiovascular incidents or stroke
Kerendia is available only as a brand-name medication. It is not currently available in generic form.
Dosage:
The treating physician will determine the starting dosage based on several factors, such as kidney function as measured by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), blood potassium level, and other medications being taken simultaneously.
This text is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any medication.
Kerendia can produce some mild side effects, including low blood pressure or low levels of sodium in the blood. A few people have had an allergic reaction after taking Kerendia. The symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include skin rash, itchiness and flushing. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist if these symptoms persist or worsen after a few days.
If symptoms of a severe allergic reaction like swelling in the eyelids, lips, hands, or feet swelling of the tongue, mouth, or throat or having trouble breathing, call 911 or go immediately to an emergency room, taking the packet of Kerendia with you.
People who have chronic kidney disease should be monitored regularly. A blood test and a urine test are used to measure the level of kidney damage. An estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) blood test measures how much blood the kidneys filter each minute. A healthy kidney should have an eGFR of 90 or higher.
Kerendia is usually prescribed for people when the eGFR values are between 30 and 59, which is classed as stage 3 kidney disease, or below 30, which is stage 4. This is the final stage before total kidney failure, after which the only treatments are dialysis or a kidney transplant. People at stage 3 may not yet have any symptoms. Roughly one-half of people do progress from stage 3 to stage 4 on average over a period of 8 – 10 years.