Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, a class beyond spironolactone - Focus on the special pharmacologic properties of eplerenone

摘要

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systemcan be blocked at specific levels by using different classes of pharmacologic agents, including angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. Broad use of the latter, such as spironolactone, has been limited by significant incidence of gynecomastia and other sex-related adverse effects. These problems can be overcome with use of eplerenone, a selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist.