Hyperkalemia by eplerenone or esaxerenone in the presence or absence of clarithromycin in hypertensive patients: a retrospective observational cohort study

Abstract

Objective: 

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), eplerenone and esaxerenone, cause hyperkalemia dose-dependently. We investigated the cytochrome P450 3A4-mediated drug−drug interaction between the MRAs and clarithromycin.

Methods: 

This retrospective observational study included adult hypertensive patients with MRA plus clarithromycin or MRA alone with a propensity score matching (1:1). The difference in serum potassium level (ΔK, maximum level – baseline level) between groups was compared using the Mann–Whitney U-test. Linear regression analysis was used to detect variables that correlated with ΔK in patients with MRA plus clarithromycin.

Results: 

After propensity score matching (each nine patients), serum potassium level was elevated after treatment with MRA plus clarithromycin [4.3 (3.5 to 5.1) meq/l to 4.9 (4.0 to 5.5) meq/l, P = 0.0234] and MRA alone [4.3 (4.0 to 4.7) meq/l to 4.6 (4.4 to 5.2) meq/l, P = 0.0469]. Although there was no significant difference in ΔK between groups [MRA plus clarithromycin: 0.5 (0.1 to 1.1) meq/l vs. MRA alone: 0.3 (0.1 to 1.2) meq/l, P = 0.7231], ΔK was significantly higher in esaxerenone plus clarithromycin than in esaxerenone alone [0.6 (0.5 to 1.1) meq/l vs. 0.1 (0.1 to 0.2) meq/l, P = 0.0495]. Conversely, clarithromycin did not show a significant effect on ΔK in patients with eplerenone [0.4 (−0.2 to 1.2) meq/l vs. 0.8 (0.1 to 1.3) meq/l, P = 0.5745]. A positive correlation was found between ΔK and age in patients with MRA plus clarithromycin (y = 0.03 × x − 1.38, r = 0.71, P = 0.0336).

Conclusion: 

The drug–drug interaction between MRAs and clarithromycin was evident, particularly in esaxerenone. Serum potassium levels should be closely monitored in older patients.