Key takeaways
Dapagliflozin (Farxiga) and finerenone (Kerendia) are both oral medications used to help protect your kidneys if you have chronic kidney disease (CKD) caused by Type 2 diabetes. However, they belong to different medication classes and work in different ways. Dapagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that helps remove extra sugar and sodium through urine, while finerenone is a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that blocks hormones which cause inflammation and scarring. Dapagliflozin is also used to lower blood sugar in Type 2 diabetes and reduce heart failure risks, whereas finerenone is specifically for people who have CKD and Type 2 diabetes. Dapagliflozin is available in both brand and generic forms, while finerenone is only available as a brand name medication. Common side effects of dapagliflozin include urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and increased urination, while finerenone can cause high potassium levels and low blood pressure. Dapagliflozin may interact with other diabetes medications and diuretics, whereas finerenone can interact with medications that raise potassium levels.
