The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 280 No 7484 p10
5/12 January 2008

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DTB endorses eplerenone

Eplerenone treatment three to 14 days after a myocardial infarction can reduce death and disease in patients who develop left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVDS) complicated by heart failure, the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin has concluded (2008; 46:1).

However, the drug can cause hyperkalaemia, so serum potassium concentrations must be monitored, and there is no evidence of efficacy after 16 months’ treatment.

In addition, the DTB emphasises that there is no justification for using eplerenone outside its licensed indication, eg, as a spironolactone substitute in chronic heart failure.