Pharmacology Notes

Eplerenone blocks sodium reabsorption, by antagonism of aldosterone.

Eplerenone is an aldosterone antagonist and has been shown to reduces mortality when added to standard therapy and initiated within 14 days of acute myocardial infarction if the patient has heart failure and a left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 40%.

Hyperkalaemia may occur if eplerenone is used in combination with potassium supplements, ACE inhibitors, potassium-sparing diuretics or angiotensin II receptor blockers—particularly in patients with renal impairment. Before initiating therapy with eplerenone, monitor baseline potassium, and then review at 1 week, 1 month, and thereafter every 3 months, or if adjusting the dose or there are changes in renal function.