Finerenone (Kerendia)

What is Finerenone?

Finerenone (brand name Kerendia) is a medication used alongside standard treatment to:

  • Slow down the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in people with Type 2 diabetes

  • Lower the risk of serious heart problems such as heart attack, stroke, cardiovascular death, or hospitalization for heart failure

How is it taken?

  • Tablet form: available in 10 mg and 20 mg doses

  • Starting dose depends on kidney function (eGFR):

    • 20 mg once daily if eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m²

    • 10 mg once daily if eGFR ≥ 25 to < 60 mL/min/1.73 m²

  • Follow-up testing:
    After 4 weeks of starting or changing the dose, your doctor will recheck potassium levels and kidney function to confirm if treatment can continue or if the dose should be adjusted.

NIHB Coverage

Since January 2024, Finerenone has been approved by Indigenous Services Canada’s Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program as a limited use benefit for First Nations.

How the Approval Process Works

  1. A nephrologist must be consulted as part of the treatment plan.

  2. The patient takes the prescription to the pharmacy.

  3. The pharmacy will send the prescribing doctor a form to complete (see Appendix B and C).

  4. The form is returned to the pharmacy and approval is usually processed within 24 hours.

Why This Matters

  • CKD rates in the Northern Health Region and remote communities are significantly higher than the Manitoba average.

  • Manitoba has the highest rate of end-stage kidney disease in Canada.

  • Clinical studies (FIDELIO-DKD, FIGARO-DKD, FIDELITY) show that Finerenone can meaningfully reduce risks of kidney failure and heart complications in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Additional Information

We encourage physicians to consider Finerenone as part of the treatment plan for eligible patients.

Downloadable Resources & Appendices (click each appendix to download):