Eplerenone belongs to which class of drug?

Eplerenone belongs to which class of drug?

• A. Angiotensin receptor blocker
• B. Beta blocker
• C. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist
• D. Diuretic

Answer: (C)

Eplerenone is a selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. It blocks aldosterone at its receptor in the kidney (and other tissues), reducing sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion. This produces a potassium-sparing diuretic effect and helps counteract aldosterone-driven fluid retention and fibrosis. This mechanism sets it apart from other drug classes listed: angiotensin receptor blockers inhibit the AT1 receptor, beta blockers block beta-adrenergic receptors, and diuretics come from various mechanisms of increasing urine output but do not specifically antagonize the mineralocorticoid receptor. Eplerenone’s selectivity also gives it fewer endocrine side effects than spironolactone, another mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist.

Eplerenone is a selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. It blocks aldosterone at its receptor in the kidney (and other tissues), reducing sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion. This produces a potassium-sparing diuretic effect and helps counteract aldosterone-driven fluid retention and fibrosis. This mechanism sets it apart from other drug classes listed: angiotensin receptor blockers inhibit the AT1 receptor, beta blockers block beta-adrenergic receptors, and diuretics come from various mechanisms of increasing urine output but do not specifically antagonize the mineralocorticoid receptor. Eplerenone’s selectivity also gives it fewer endocrine side effects than spironolactone, another mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist.