Uses
Eplerenone is an aldosterone antagonist with an IC50 of 0.36 μM. It is used as an adjunct in the management of chronic heart failure. It is similar to the diuretic spironolactone, though it may be more specific for the mineralocorticoid receptor and is sp
Uses
Selective aldosterone receptor antagonist (SARA), structurally similar to Spiranolactone. Eplerenone is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Eplerenone is in a class of medications called mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. It works by blocking the action of aldosterone, a natural substance in the body that raises blood pressure.
Biological Activity
Selective mineralocorticoid (aldosterone) receptor antagonist (IC 50 = 360 nM). Displays > 27-fold selectivity over androgen, progesterone and estrogen receptors (IC 50 > 10 μ M). Orally active antihypertensive in vivo .
Originator
Ciba-Geigy (Novartis) (US)
Definition
ChEBI: Eplerenone is a steroid acid ester, a methyl ester, an oxaspiro compound, a gamma-lactone, an organic heteropentacyclic compound, a 3-oxo-Delta(4) steroid and an epoxy steroid. It has a role as an aldosterone antagonist and an antihypertensive agent. It derives from a hydride of a pregnane.
Brand name
Inspra (Searle).
General Description
Eplerenone, 9,11α-epoxy-17α-hydroxy-3-oxopregn-4-ene-7α,21-dicarboxylic acid, γ-lactone,methyl ester (Inspra), is a newer aldosterone antagonist that isused for the treatment of hypertension.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Eplerenone is an aldosterone antagonist more specific for the mineralocorticoid receptor than spironolactone (S3378), having lower affinity for progesterone, androgen, and glucocorticoid receptors.
Clinical Use
A newer drug, eplerenone, has a structure similar to that of spironolactone and a similar mechanism of action. It was initially approved for use in the treatment of
hypertension but it can now be used in the treatment of patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and congestive heart failure after myocardial infarction.
Drug interactions
Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugsACE inhibitors or AT-II antagonists: enhanced
hypotensive effect; risk of severe hyperkalaemia.Anti-arrhythmics: concentration increased by
amiodarone - reduce eplerenone dose.amiodarone - reduce eplerenone dose.
Antibacterials: concentration increased by
clarithromycin and telithromycin - avoid;
concentration increased by erythromycin - reduce
eplerenone dose; concentration reduced by rifampicin
- avoid; avoid with lymecycline; increased risk of
hyperkalaemia with trimethoprim.Antidepressants: concentration reduced by St John’s
wort - avoid; increased risk of postural hypotension
with tricyclics; enhanced hypotensive effect with
MAOIs.Antiepileptics: concentration reduced by
carbamazepine, fosphenytoin, phenytoin,
phenobarbital and primidone - avoid.Antifungals: concentration increased by itraconazole
and ketoconazole - avoid; concentration increased by
fluconazole - reduce eplerenone dose.Antihypertensives: enhanced hypotensive effect,
increased risk of first dose hypotensive effect with
post-synaptic alpha-blockers.Antivirals: concentration increased by ritonavir -
avoid; concentration increased by saquinavir - reduce
eplerenone doseCiclosporin: increased risk of hyperkalaemia and
nephrotoxicityCytotoxics: increased risk of nephrotoxicity and
ototoxicity with platinum compounds.NSAIDs: increased risk of hyperkalaemia (especially
with indometacin); increased risk of nephrotoxicity;
antagonism of diuretic effect.Potassium salts: increased risk of hyperkalaemia.Lithium: reduced lithium excretion - avoidTacrolimus: increased risk of hyperkalaemia and
nephrotoxicity.CYP3A4 inhibitors: Do not exceed a dose of 25 mg
daily for eplerenone.CYP3A4 inducers: reduced eplerenone
concentration - avoid.
Metabolism
Eplerenone metabolism is primarily mediated via
CYP3A4. No active metabolites of eplerenone have
been identified in human plasma. Less than 5% of
an eplerenone dose is recovered as unchanged drug
in the urine and faeces. Following a single oral dose
of radiolabelled drug, approximately 32% of the dose
was excreted in the faeces and approximately 67% was
excreted in the urine