Kerendia (finerenone) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed to decrease the risk of certain problems in adults with chronic kidney disease related to type 2 diabetes. Kerendia comes as an oral tablet that’s typically taken once per day. Its dosage can vary depending on certain factors.

Specifically, this medication can decrease the risk of:

Kerendia belongs to a drug class called nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs). It is not available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Kerendia, including its strengths and how to
take it. For a comprehensive look at Kerendia, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Kerendia provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Kerendia, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Before you start treatment with Kerendia, your doctor will recommend the best dosage of medication for you. They will also discuss the frequency of administration with you.

Kerendia form

Kerendia comes as an oral tablet.

Kerendia strengths

Kerendia comes in two strengths: 10 milligrams (mg) and 20 mg.

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for kidney disease related to type 2 diabetes

The recommended dosage of Kerendia to treat type 2 diabetes is based on a measure of your kidney function, called estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). This medication’s dosage is not based on your body weight.

If you have an eGFR of 60 or more, your doctor will recommend a dosage of 20 mg per day. If your eGFR is 25 to less than 60, your doctor will recommend a dosage of 10 mg per day. However, if you have an eGFR of less than 25, your doctor will recommend a different treatment option for you.

After you’ve been taking Kerendia for 4 weeks, your doctor will recommend a blood test to check your potassium levels. They may adjust your dosage of Kerendia if your potassium levels become too high. For more information, see “Dosage adjustments” in the “Factors that can affect your dosage” section below.

Long-term treatment

Kerendia is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Kerendia is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

The Kerendia dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • your kidney function
  • the amount of potassium in your blood
  • other medications you take

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Kerendia dosage.

Dosage adjustments

In some cases, your doctor may recommend a dosage adjustment of Kerendia. This medication can cause high blood potassium levels. So, your doctor will check your potassium levels with a blood test 4 weeks after you start Kerendia. They will also monitor your levels throughout your treatment.

Your doctor may recommend a dosage increase or decrease based on your blood potassium levels. It’s also possible for your doctor to recommend pausing or stopping treatment if your potassium levels become too high.

In addition, certain medications may increase your risk of high potassium levels if taken in combination with Kerendia. If you take one of these medications, your doctor may also recommend decreasing your dosage of Kerendia. Examples of these drugs include:

Kerendia comes as an oral tablet. You should take your dose once per day. Kerendia can be taken with or without food.

If you have difficulty swallowing your Kerendia tablets, you can crush the tablet and mix it with water or soft food, such as applesauce. Be sure to take your dose of Kerendia right away if you mix it with water or food.

It may be helpful to take Kerendia at around the same time each day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Kerendia can work effectively.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

If you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Kerendia in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

If you miss your dose of Kerendia, and it’s still the same day as your missed dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it’s already the next day, skip your missed dose and take your next dose on your regular schedule.

If you missed your dose of Kerendia and you’re not sure when to take your next dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

If you use more Kerendia than your doctor prescribes, you may develop serious side effects.

It’s important that you do not use more Kerendia than your doctor advises.

Symptoms of an overdose

An overdose of Kerendia can cause high blood potassium levels. Symptoms of high blood potassium can include:

If you take more than the recommended amount of Kerendia

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Kerendia. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Kerendia for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Kerendia without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Kerendia that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Kerendia. These additional articles might be helpful to you:

  • More about Kerendia. For information about other aspects of Kerendia, refer to this article.
  • Details about your condition. For details about chronic kidney disease related to type 2 diabetes, see our diabetes hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.