Drug Insight: eplerenone, a mineralocorticoid-receptor antagonist

ldosterone has many roles beyond water and sodium homeostasis, including blood pressure regulation. It is important in development of heart failure. Aldosterone binds the mineralocorticoid receptor. Eplerenone is a very specific antagonist of this receptor, and is used to treat heart failure and hypertension. It has many other potential applications, including management of ischemic heart disease and preventing progression of nephropathy.