Question

Describe what the following drug does and when you want to prescribe it: Aldosterone Inhibitors.

Answer 1

#. Aldosterone Antagonists :-

Drugs that block receptors for aldosterone.

Eplerenone and Spironolactone

Treats HTN and Heart Failure

Spironolactone vs. Eplerenone

#. Eplerenone (Inspra) :-

First-in-class SELECTIVE aldosterone receptor blocker

Used for HTN and Heart Failure

#. Eplerenone Mechanism of Action :-

Produces selective blockade of aldosterone receptors, having littoe or no effect on receptors for other steroid hormones.

-Promotes excretion of potassium and retention of sodium and water

-Loss of sodium and water reduces blood volume and blood pressure

-May prevent or reverse cardiac remodeling

#. Therapeutic Use of Eplerenone :-

Hypertension- Maximal reductions in BP take 4 weeks

Heart Failure- Blocking the adverse effects of aldosterone on CV structure

*Eplerenone should be reserved for patients who have not responded to traditional antihypertensive drugs