Vnitr Lek 2025, 71(4):241-248 | DOI: 10.36290/vnl.2025.044

Finerenone in internal medicine and cardiology practice

Markéta Ječmenová

InterMedCare, s. r. o., Interní a kardiologická ambulance Brno

Finerenone is a highly selective, non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist with high binding affinity (higher than spironolactone and eplerenone). In contrast to the steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, finerenone proved cardiovascular and renal benefit. Finerenone reduces albuminuria, which is a sensitive marker of chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular risk. It is an earlier marker than decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Albuminuria is a marker of increased risk of progression of heart failure and cardiovascular death. Currently, finerenone is indicated to adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with chronic kidney disease with albuminuria. These patients should be treated with maximal tolerated doses of renin angiotensin aldosterone system inhibitors and gliflozins. If a patient had a heart failure, the ejection fraction should be above 40 %. Before starting the therapy with finerenone, it is necessary to know the GFR, potassium level in serum and urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR). The therapy can be initiated if GFR is 25-59ml/min, potassium level below 5,0 mmol/L and UACR above 3mg/mmol (≥ 30 mg/g). The potassium serum level and GFR should be controlled within a 4 weeks interval after the initiation of the therapy. Decreased UACR can be observed after 4 months of therapy and it is a very good marker of the patient's adherence to the therapy. The article, beside the possible side effects, discusses the impact of finerenone on blood pressure, albuminuria and renal functions. The whole article is well illustrated by two cases of patients treated with finerenon.

Keywords: albuminuria, Type 2 Diabetes mellitus, finerenone, gliflozins, chronic kidney disease, potassium serum level, cardiovascular marker.

Accepted: June 3, 2025; Published: June 19, 2025  Show citation