Finerenone shows promise in slowing kidney disease progression beyond diabetes
Three global studies published in leading medical journals suggest that finerenone, a drug primarily used for diabetes-related kidney disease, can effectively slow kidney disease progression in a broader patient group, including those without diabetes. The research found that finerenone reduced protein leakage in urine and lowered the risk of kidney failure across different forms of chronic kidney disease, such as glomerular diseases. Finerenone works by blocking inflammation and scarring in the kidneys, processes common to many kidney diseases. While it has side effects like hyperkalaemia, these are manageable with routine blood tests. The drug is already available in India and is expected to become cheaper after 2028.
Key Points
- Finerenone, a drug previously for diabetes-related kidney disease, is effective in slowing kidney disease progression in patients without diabetes.
- Studies show it reduces protein leakage and lowers the risk of kidney failure across various forms of chronic kidney disease.
- The drug acts by blocking inflammation and scarring in the kidneys, a common pathway in many kidney diseases.
- While hyperkalaemia is a side effect, it is manageable, and the drug is expected to become more affordable in India post-2028.
Exam Facts
- Studies published in New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and The Lancet.
- FIND-CKD study enrolled 1,584 patients without diabetes.
- Finerenone reduced protein leakage in urine by about 42%.
- The drug is available in India for ₹80-90 a day and patent protection ends in 2028.
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