While several treatments for high blood pressure have proven effective, some are still resistant. This pathology, which affects one in three adults in France sometimes leaves patients without solutions. Doctors try to find methods and a medicine has recently been shown to be very effective in resistant hypertension. Its name: finerenone.
This type of high blood pressure is defined by uncontrolled blood pressure (BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg) despite hygiene and dietary measures and treatments. According to the High Authority of Health, 50% of hypertensive patients treated do not achieve controlled voltage objectives.
This drug, currently in phase 3 clinical trials for the prevention of cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetics with chronic kidney disease, provides positive results mainly in the reduction in hospitalizations for heart failure.
“The higher the blood pressure, the more it will be lowered with finerenone”
During the study, another benefit emerged: lowering blood pressure. “About 15% of the protective effect of finerenone is explained by differences in blood pressure compared with placebo,” he said in a communiqué Professor Jean-Michel Halimi, a nephrologist at Tours Hospital. “The higher the blood pressure, the more it will be lowered with finerenone.” According to the doctor, This treatment appears to be a good alternative has spironolactonea drug commonly used for high blood pressure.
Fewer side effects with Finerenone
But like all treatments, they are accompanied by more or less annoying side effects. Spironolactone has the particularity of increasing serum potassium : blood potassium levels. According to an analysis of two studies, this increase in blood potassium is less frequent with finerenone. “The drop in blood pressure may be less significant, but the risk of treatment interruption due to hyperkalemia is much lower“, stressed Professor Halimi.
Finerenone therefore appears to be a good alternative to spironolactone. However, we will still need a little patience. to see resistant hypertension appear in the indications.A comparative trial with spironolactone now appears essential before defining their place in this category,” the professor explains.
