Eplerenone

CLINICAL USE

Aldosterone antagonist:Left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure

DOSE IN NORMAL RENAL FUNCTION

25–50 mg daily

PHARMACOKINETICS

  • Molecular weight                           :414.5
  • %Protein binding                           :50
  • %Excreted unchanged in urine     : <5
  • Volume of distribution (L/kg)       :43–57 litres
  • half-life – normal/ESRD (hrs)      :3–6

    DOSE IN RENAL IMPAIRMENT

    GFR (mL/MIN)

  • 20 to 50     : Dose as in normal renal function1
  • 10 to 20     : Dose as in normal renal function1
  • <10           : Dose as in normal renal function1

    DOSE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPIES

  • CAPD                :Unknown dialysability. Dose as in GFR <10 mL/min
  • HD                     :10% dialysed.1 Dose as in GFR <10 mL/min
  • HDF/high flux   :Unknown dialysability. Dose as in GFR <10 mL/min
  • CAV/VVHD      :Unknown dialysability. Dose as in GFR=10-20 mL/min

    IMPORTANT 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
  • Antibacterials: concentration increased by clarithromycin and telithromycin – avoid concomitant use; concentration increased by erythromycin – reduce eplerenone dose; concentration reduced by rifampicin – avoid concomitant use; avoid concomitant use with lymecycline; increased risk of hyperkalaemia with trimethoprim
  • Antidepressants: concentration reduced by St John’s wort – avoid concomitant use; increased risk of postural hypotension with tricyclics; enhanced hypotensive effect with MAOIs
  • Anti-epileptics: concentration reduced by carbamazepine, phenytoin and phenobarbital – avoid concomitant use
  • Antifungals: concentration increased by itraconazole and ketoconazole – avoid concomitant use; concentration increased by fluconazole – reduce eplerenone doseAntihypertensives: enhanced hypotensive effect, increased risk of first dose hypotensive effect with post-synaptic alpha-blockers
  • Antivirals: concentration increased by nelfinavir and ritonavir – avoid concomitant use; concentration increased by saquinavir – reduce eplerenone dose
  • Ciclosporin: increased risk of hyperkalaemia and nephrotoxicityNSAIDs: 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 – avoid concomitant use
  • Tacrolimus: increased risk of hyperkalaemia and nephrotoxicityCYP3A4 inhibitors: Do not exceed a dose of 25 mg daily for eplerenoneCYP3A4 inducers: reduced eplerenone concentration – avoid concomitant use

    ADMINISTRATION

    Reconstition

    Route

    Oral

    Rate of Administration

    Comments

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Monitor potassium levels regularly in people with renal impairment

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