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. 2022 Jul;47(4):549-559.
doi: 10.1007/s13318-022-00770-z. Epub 2022 May 25.

Results From Phase I Studies Investigating the Dose Linearity of Finerenone Tablets and the Influence of Food or pH-Modifying Comedications on its Pharmacokinetics in Healthy Male Volunteers

Roland Heinig  1 , Johannes Nagelschmitz  2 , Stephanie Loewen  3
Affiliations

Results From Phase I Studies Investigating the Dose Linearity of Finerenone Tablets and the Influence of Food or pH-Modifying Comedications on its Pharmacokinetics in Healthy Male Volunteers

Roland Heinig et al. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2022 Jul.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Finerenone is a nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that reduces the risk of adverse kidney and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Clinical phase I studies with finerenone were carried out to assess its pharmacokinetics and the influence of common covariables on its absorption after oral administration.

Methods: Three crossover studies in healthy male volunteers with single-dose administration of finerenone investigated the dose linearity of a film-coated tablet (1.25-10 mg [n = 24] and 10-20 mg [n = 18]), the effect of food on the 20 mg tablet (n = 18), and the effects of the proton-pump inhibitor omeprazole (4 days pre-treatment and co-administration 2 h before finerenone) and an aluminum/magnesium hydroxide-containing antacid (10 mL [Maalox®] 70 mVal, simultaneous intake) on the 10 mg tablet (n = 10 and n = 11, respectively).

Results: Finerenone was rapidly absorbed (time to reach maximum plasma concentration [tmax] was 0.50-0.75 h). Area under the curve from zero to infinity (AUC∞) and the maximum concentration (Cmax) increased in proportion to dose in the range investigated in clinical phase II and phase III studies (1.25-20 mg), with point estimates for the ratio of dose-normalized AUC∞ and Cmax (20 mg/10 mg, approved therapeutic doses) of 0.9943 and 0.9301. After the administration of finerenone 20 mg with a high-fat, high-calorie meal, AUC∞ increased (+ 21%), Cmax decreased (-19%), and tmax was prolonged (2.47 vs. 0.75 h) when compared with the fasting state. Omeprazole had no effect on finerenone AUC∞ and Cmax. Maalox had no effect on finerenone AUC∞ and led to a non-clinically-relevant decrease in Cmax (-19%).

Conclusions: The pharmacokinetics of the finerenone film-coated tablet were linear. High-fat, high-calorie food had no clinically relevant effect on the pharmacokinetics of finerenone. In addition, pH-modifying comedications were not found to alter the pharmacokinetics of finerenone and were deemed safe for co-administration.

Plain language summary

Finerenone is a drug that is used to reduce the risk of adverse kidney and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes and is licensed for use in several countries worldwide. Previous clinical trials analyzed the absorption of finerenone and how finerenone is distributed in, and eliminated from, the body (plasma concentrations) in healthy individuals. The present studies aimed to assess the absorption of finerenone by comparing dosages that are used in the real world to treat patients. In addition, different factors that would impact the absorption and plasma concentrations of finerenone (referred to as the pharmacokinetics of finerenone), including the presence of food and drugs that affect stomach acid levels, were investigated. Researchers found that the plasma concentrations of finerenone increase in proportion to the dose levels. A high-fat, high-calorie meal reduced the rate of finerenone absorption but did not have a significant impact on the amount of drug absorbed, and it can therefore be taken with or without food. When investigating finerenone administered in combination with drugs affecting stomach acid levels, researchers found that these drugs do not impact its pharmacokinetics and can be taken safely with finerenone.

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