Canrenone
Canrenone, sold under the brand names Contaren, Luvion, Phanurane, and Spiroletan, is a steroidal antimineralocorticoid of the spirolactone group related to spironolactone which is used as a diuretic in Europe, including in Italy and Belgium. It is also an important active metabolite of spironolactone, and partially accounts for its therapeutic effects.
Medical uses
Canrenone has been found to be effective in the treatment of hirsutism in women.Heart failure
Two studies of canrenone in people with heart failure have shown a mortality benefit compared to placebo. In the evaluation which studied people with chronic heart failure, people that were treated with canrenone displayed a lower number of deaths compared to the placebo group, indicating a death and morbidity benefit of the medication.One study compared 166 treated with canrenone to 336 given conventional therapy lasting 10 years. Differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed between both patient groups where, patients treated with canrenone, showed a lower blood pressure compared to conventional therapy. Uric acid was lower in the group treated with canrenone; however, no differences were seen in potassium, sodium, and brain natriuretic peptide levels. Left ventricular mass was also lower in the group treated with canrenone and a greater progression of NYHA class was observed in the control group compared to patients treated with canrenone.
Another study concluded that treatment with canrenone in patients with chronic heart failure improves diastolic function and further decreased BNP levels.