Kerendia (finerenone) is a prescription drug that’s used to reduce certain risks in adults with type 2 diabetes. Kerendia can cause mild to serious side effects. Examples include high potassium levels and low blood pressure.

Kerendia is used in adults with chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes to reduce the risk of:

The active ingredient in Kerendia is finerenone. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) The drug comes as a tablet that you swallow.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Kerendia can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Kerendia treatment. Examples of Kerendia’s commonly reported side effects include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Mild side effects have been reported with Kerendia. These include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And don’t stop taking Kerendia unless your doctor recommends it.

Kerendia may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Serious side effects have been reported with Kerendia. These include:

In rare cases, these serious side effects required hospitalization.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Kerendia, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Kerendia. But this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Kerendia, visit MedWatch.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Kerendia’s side effects.

How do the side effects of Kerendia compare with those of other similar drugs, such as Farxiga?

Kerendia and Farxiga (dapagliflozin) are both taken by certain adults with type 2 diabetes, but they have different side effects.

Kerendia’s common side effects are:

On the other hand, common side effects of Farxiga include:

  • urinary tract infection (UTI)
  • genital-related side effects
  • common cold

To learn more about how Kerendia compares with other drugs, including Farxiga, talk with your doctor. And for more information about Farxiga’s side effects, see this article.

Are Kerendia’s side effects similar to those seen with other diuretic drugs, such as spironolactone?

Yes, Kerendia and other diuretic drugs such as spironolactone share many of the same side effects.

Diuretics are drugs that remove water and sodium from the body. Because of this, they often cause low blood pressure and low sodium levels in the blood. These are side effects seen with both Kerendia and spironolactone.

If you have other questions about how Kerendia’s side effects compare with those of other drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Learn more about some of the side effects Kerendia may cause.

High potassium levels

Kerendia may cause high potassium levels in the blood. In studies of Kerendia, this was a common side effect.

Usually, a high potassium level doesn’t cause symptoms. But in some cases, a high potassium level may cause symptoms such as:

  • weakness
  • low energy (fatigue)
  • heart palpitations (feeling like your heart skips a beat or adds an extra beat)
  • fainting

What might help

Before starting Kerendia, your doctor will check the levels of potassium in your blood. If your levels are too high, your doctor may not prescribe Kerendia for you.

During treatment, your doctor will continue to check your potassium levels. If needed, they may lower your dosage if your potassium levels get too high.

If you have severe kidney failure, your doctor may tell you to limit foods that contain a lot of potassium. High potassium foods include bananas, kiwis, and red meats. To learn more about foods you may need to avoid while taking Kerendia, talk with your doctor.

Low sodium levels

Some people may experience low sodium levels in the blood while taking Kerendia. In studies, this was a common side effect of Kerendia.

Depending on how low your sodium levels drop, your symptoms may differ. But possible symptoms include:

What might help

Your doctor will check the sodium levels in your blood before and during your Kerendia treatment. If your levels get too low, your doctor may need to prescribe treatment to raise your sodium levels in your blood. Treatment may include reducing how much fluid you drink or injecting intravenous (IV) salt solutions.

If you’re concerned about low sodium levels during your Kerendia treatment, talk with your doctor.

Low blood pressure

Kerendia can cause low blood pressure. This was a commonly reported side effect in studies of Kerendia. Low blood pressure may be more likely to occur during the first month of your Kerendia treatment.

Low blood pressure doesn’t always cause symptoms. But possible symptoms may include:

  • lightheadedness
  • dizziness
  • fainting

What might help

Your doctor will likely recommend that you check your blood pressure at home while taking Kerendia. If you’re concerned about low blood pressure or you experience any of symptoms mentioned above, talk with your doctor.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Kerendia can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.

Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an antihistamine you swallow, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Kerendia, they’ll decide whether you should continue taking it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Kerendia, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Kerendia treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Kerendia affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Kerendia may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These are known as drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether Kerendia is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Kerendia. Factors to consider include those described below.

High potassium level in the blood. Kerendia can cause a high level of potassium in the blood. If potassium level is already high, taking Kerendia could raise it even more.

Before starting Kerendia, your doctor will check your potassium levels. If your levels are too high, your doctor may not prescribe Kerendia for you. If you have a high risk of high potassium levels, your doctor will check your potassium levels throughout your Kerendia treatment. If your potassium levels rise, your doctor may adjust your dosage of Kerendia or have you temporarily stop taking the drug.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Kerendia or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Kerendia. Ask them what other medications may be better options for you.

Severe kidney problems. Kerendia is prescribed for people with kidney disease related to type 2 diabetes. Your doctor will not prescribe Kerendia if you have other severe kidney problems. They can determine whether Kerendia is safe for you to take.

During treatment, if your kidney function worsens, your doctor can lower your dosage. If you have severe kidney failure, you may have a higher risk of serious side effects with Kerendia, such as high potassium levels in the blood.

Adrenal problems. If you have problems with your adrenal gland, Kerendia may not be right for you. Adrenal insufficiency affects hormones that adjust potassium and sodium levels in your blood. Kerendia also affects your sodium and potassium levels.

Usually, doctors will not prescribe Kerendia for people with adrenal insufficiency because it can increase the risk of side effects.

Liver problems. Doctors will likely not prescribe Kerendia for people with severe liver problems. If you have moderate liver failure, your doctor may check your potassium levels more often during your Kerendia treatment.

Alcohol and Kerendia

Kerendia isn’t known to interact with alcohol. However, combining Kerendia and alcohol may increase your risk of certain side effects. For example, both alcohol and Kerendia can cause low sodium levels in the blood.

Depending on how much alcohol you drink and whether you’re taking specific diabetes drugs, alcohol may also cause your blood sugar levels to rise or fall. Kerendia is taken by people with type 2 diabetes, so drinking alcohol could make it hard to manage your blood sugar.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much (if any) alcohol may be safe to drink with your treatment plan and condition.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Kerendia

It’s not known whether Kerendia is safe to take during pregnancy. Before starting Kerendia, talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

Breastfeeding while taking Kerendia is not recommended. You should not breastfeed while taking Kerendia or for 1 day after your last dose. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about your options.

If you still have questions about side effects that Kerendia can cause, talk with your doctor. Examples of questions that you may want to ask include:

  • Are side effects more likely or more severe with a higher dose?
  • Do I have a higher risk of side effects if I take medications to lower my blood pressure?
  • If my potassium levels are too high with Kerendia, which alternative drug can I take?

To learn more about Kerendia, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.