Potassium management with finerenone: Practical aspects

Introduction Finerenone, a selective nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, has favourable effects on cardiorenal outcomes in patients with mild-to-severe chronic kidney disease with increased albuminuria and type 2 diabetes. Methods Two large, randomized trials have evaluated the effects of finerenone on clinical outcomes. The first trial (FIDELIO-DKD) investigated renal outcomes, and the second (FIGARO-DKD) cardiovascular outcomes. Results Patients in the two studies had a high intrinsic risk of hyperkalemia due to type 2 diabetes, treatment with optimized doses of an inhibitor of the renin-angiotensin system, and, in some patients, their advanced chronic kidney disease. This was reflected in the incidence of hyperkalemia in the placebo group during the trials. Patients on finerenone had a significantly higher incidence of hyperkalemia compared with patients on placebo, but treatment discontinuation due to hyperkalemia was low, and no patients experienced death attributable to hyperkalemia. Structured routine potassium monitoring with temporary treatment interruption and dose reduction, as used in the two trials, should ensure the safe use of finerenone to protect the kidneys and cardiovascular system of patients with albuminuric chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. Conclusions The aim of this document is to highlight the routine potassium management required when using finerenone and to provide practical recommendations.