5 Kerendia Side Effects, and How to Manage Them
Learn about five potential side effects of Kerendia, a medication used to treat chronic kidney disease. Stay informed to protect your health and well-being.
Kerendia
Used for Heart Failure, Kidney Disease
Used for Heart Failure, Kidney Disease
Kerendia (finerenone) is a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that helps protect your kidneys and heart if you have chronic kidney disease (CKD) caused by Type 2 diabetes. It's FDA approved to slow kidney damage, lower the risk of kidney failure, and reduce the chances of heart-related problems like heart attacks and heart failure hospitalizations. Kerendia (finerenone) comes as a tablet that you take once a day by mouth. Your dose depends on your kidney function and how you respond to the medication. Common side effects include high potassium levels, low blood pressure, and low sodium levels.
What is Kerendia (finerenone)?
What is Kerendia (finerenone) used for?
Lowers the risk of serious health problems in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) caused by Type 2 diabetes, including:
- Worsening kidney function
- Death from heart problems
- Heart attacks
- Hospitalization due to heart failure
How Kerendia (finerenone) works
Kerendia (finerenone) is a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. It works by blocking the mineralocorticoid receptor, a protein activated by the hormones aldosterone and cortisol that helps control salt balance in your body. When overactive, this receptor can cause inflammation and scarring in your kidneys, heart, and blood vessels. By stopping this overactivation, Kerendia (finerenone) helps reduce salt buildup and protects your kidneys and heart.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Kerendia |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Kerendia (finerenone) essentials
Side effects of Kerendia (finerenone)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- High blood potassium levels (14%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Low blood pressure
- Low sodium levels
- High uric acid levels
Kerendia (finerenone) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- High blood potassium levels: nausea, tiredness, chest pain, muscle weakness, tingling or numbness, pounding heart, nausea
When do Kerendia (finerenone) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Low blood pressure
High potassium levels
Seek immediate medical care if you experience this side effect.
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The following Kerendia (finerenone) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- High potassium level—muscle weakness, fast or irregular heartbeat
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
Get your GoodRx coupon
$1236.39
GoodRx discount
$641.45
Pros and cons of Kerendia (finerenone)
Pros
- Protects your kidneys and lowers heart risks
- Taken by mouth once per day
- Can be taken with or without food
Cons
- Won't be able to "feel" the medication working
- Can raise blood potassium levels
- Requires regular blood test to check potassium levels and kidney function
Pharmacist tips for Kerendia (finerenone)
- Keep track of your appointments to see your prescriber and to get any blood work done while taking Kerendia (finerenone). Your care team will order tests (e.g., sodium and potassium levels, kidney function, uric acid) during treatment and might change your dose based on your results.
- Take Kerendia (finerenone) with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, taking it with food might help.
- Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice because it can increase Kerendia (finerenone) levels in your body, raising your risk of side effects.
- Kerendia (finerenone) can interact with a lot of commonly used medications. Tell your care team about everything you're taking, including over-the-counter and prescription medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements, so they can check for any unsafe combinations.
- Kerendia (finerenone) can raise potassium levels, which can be serious. Ask your prescriber if you need to limit foods high in potassium. Contact your care team if you experience nausea, vomiting, or muscle weakness because these might be symptoms of high potassium levels.
- It's not known if Kerendia (finerenone) is safe in pregnancy. In animal studies, high doses of the medication caused developmental problems in babies. If you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, talk to your prescriber or OB-GYN provider about the risks and benefits of taking this medication.
- Breastfeeding isn't recommended while taking Kerendia (finerenone) and for at least 1 day after your last dose. This is because animal studies showed harm to babies breastfed by mothers who took this medication.
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Risks and warnings for Kerendia (finerenone)
Kerendia (finerenone) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
High potassium levels
- Risk factors: Kidney problems | Taking other medications that raise potassium | Using certain salt substitutes
Kerendia (finerenone) can raise potassium levels, which can increase your risk of serious heart problems. Your risk is higher if you take Kerendia (finerenone) with other medications that can raise potassium. Your prescriber will check your potassium levels before and during treatment to make sure they stay within a safe range. Tell your care team right away if you have signs of high potassium levels, such as muscle weakness, nausea, irregular heartbeat, or tingling. If left untreated, high potassium levels can be dangerous.
Kerendia (finerenone) dosage
The average cost for 30 tablets of 10mg of Kerendia (finerenone) is $641.45 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 48.12% off the average retail price of $1,236.39. 
Tablet
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10mg | 30 tablets | $641.45 | $21.38 |
| 20mg | 30 tablets | $648.00 | $21.60 |
| 40mg of | 30 tablets | $698.06 | $23.27 |
Typical dosage for Kerendia (finerenone)
The typical dose is 10 mg to 20 mg by mouth once a day, depending on how well your kidneys work.
Your prescriber will adjust the dose based on your blood potassium levels, kidney function, and any side effects you experience.
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How much does Kerendia (finerenone) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Kerendia (brand)
$641.45
Kerendia (finerenone) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Kerendia (finerenone) will not be safe for you to take.
- Taking medications that strongly interact with Kerendia (finerenone)
- Adrenal insufficiency
What are alternatives to Kerendia (finerenone)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Kerendia (finerenone). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Kerendia (finerenone)
Used for:
Lowers the risk of serious health problems in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) caused by Type 2 diabetes, including:
$641.45View prices
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Recently, Kerendia (finerenone) was FDA-approved for use in lowering the risk of kidney failure and heart-related death in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) as a result of type 2 diabetes. Created by Bayer, Kerendia is the first medication in its class approved for this use.
