Finerenone: Reducing Progressive Kidney Dysfunction and Secondary Cardiovascular Complications in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Associated With Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) presents complexities because current treatment options are limited for those individuals with CKD and T2DM. Finerenone, a novel nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and received priority review for a fast-track application in 2021. 1 Finerenone [package insert]. Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Whippany, NJ2021 Google Scholar ,2 Center for Drug Evaluation and ResearchFDA approves drug for chronic kidney disease. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fda-approves-drug-reduce-risk-serious-kidney-and-heart-complications-adults-chronic-kidney-diseaseDate accessed: March 9, 2022 Google Scholar The drug has demonstrated a reduced risk of ongoing decline in kidney function in adults with CKD and T2DM among those with end-stage kidney disease, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), cardiovascular (CV)-related death, and HF requiring hospitalization (HHF). Finerenone has exhibited significantly lower incidences of composite end point CV-related death and total (first and recurrent) HF events in the overall population compared with the placebo, including an 18% lower risk of CV death or first HHF and a 30% lower rate of total HHF. Robin E. Beacom, MSN, FNP-C, is a clinical instructor in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, LA. James K. Blankenship, MSN, FNP-C, is a clinical pharmacology instructor at the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Louisiana. Deedra H. Harrington, DNP, ACNP-BC, is an associate professor in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Louisiana. Mr. Blankenship can be reached at [email protected] In compliance with standard ethical guidelines, the authors all report no financial relationship that would pose a conflict of interest. The authors do not present any off-label or non–Food and Drug Administration–approved recommendations for treatment.