Aldosterone antagonist

Overview
Aldosterone antagonist refers to drugs which antagonise the action of aldosterone at mineralocorticoid receptors. This group of drugs is often used as adjunctive therapy, in combination with other drugs, for the management of chronic heart failure. Spironolactone, the first member of the class, is also used in the management of hyperaldosteronism (including Conn's syndrome) and female hirsutism.

Mode of action
Aldosterone antagonists are, as the name suggests, receptor antagonists at the mineralocorticoid receptor. Antagonism of these receptors inhibits sodium resorption in the distal tubule of the nephron in the kidneys. This interferes with sodium/potassium exchange, reducing urinary potassium excretion and weakly increasing water excretion (diuresis).

Their adjunctive use in congestive heart failure relates to their additive diuretic effect in combination with other drugs, reducing edema and decreasing the cardiac workload.

Examples
Members of this class in clinical use include:
 * Spironolactone
 * Eplerenone

Related Chapters

 * Potassium-sparing diuretic
 * ATC_code_C03