Can I stop taking fenelidone once I start taking it?

Finerenone is a mineral corticoid receptor antagonist, mainly used to treat patients with type 2 diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) . Regarding the question of whether fenelidone cannot be stopped once it is started, there is actually no hard and fast rule that requires patients not to stop taking fenelidone once they start treatment. However, the decision to discontinue medication should be based on the patient's specific condition, response to treatment, and the physician's professional evaluation.

First of all, as a drug that improves kidney function, reduces proteinuria and delays kidney failure, the efficacy of fenelidone is often gradually revealed through long-term use. If the patient does not experience obvious adverse reactions during use and the treatment effect is good, long-term use is usually recommended to maintain the effect and prevent further deterioration of the condition. However, if the patient develops severe side effects (such as hyperkalemia, hypotension, etc.) or renal function has significantly improved and reached a stable state when using fenelidone, the doctor may consider adjusting the drug regimen, or even discontinuing the drug for a short period or gradually reducing the dose.

In addition, diabetic nephropathy and chronic kidney disease are usually chronic progressive diseases, and treatment is a long-term process. Stopping medication may lead to recurrence or progression of the disease. Therefore, discontinuation should be done with caution, especially in those patients with pre-existing renal impairment. When a patient stops taking medication, the doctor will evaluate whether it is necessary to change the medication or adopt other treatment options based on the patient's specific condition.

In general, the use and discontinuation of fenelidone should be carried out under the guidance of a professional doctor. If the patient intends to discontinue medication, he or she must communicate with the doctor, formulate an appropriate treatment plan, and conduct regular health monitoring to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.

Reference materials:https://www.kerendia.com/