Background and objectives: Finerenone (BAY 94-8862) is a selective, nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of mild or moderate hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of finerenone.
Methods: The study was conducted in a single-center, nonrandomized, noncontrolled, nonblinded observational design with group stratification. A single oral 5-mg dose of finerenone was administered as a tablet to participants with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh A, score 5-6 [n = 9], or Child-Pugh B, score 7-9 [n = 9], respectively) and to age-, weight- and sex-matched healthy participants (n = 9). The pharmacokinetics of finerenone and its metabolites were assessed in plasma and urine, and safety and tolerability were monitored.
Results: Finerenone area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and unbound AUC were 38% and 55% greater, respectively, in participants with moderate hepatic impairment than in healthy participants, whereas maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was unchanged. No clear effects on AUC or Cmax were seen in participants with mild hepatic impairment. Finerenone was safe and well tolerated in all participants.
Conclusion: The effects of mild or moderate hepatic impairment on systemic exposure of finerenone are small, consistent with its low hepatic extraction and preponderance of gastrointestinal over hepatic first-pass clearance. Considering the small increases in AUC and the absence of changes in Cmax, a dose adaptation does not appear to be warranted in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment.