Cardiometabolic & kidneySecondary analysis

Risk of Hyperkalemia With Empagliflozin, Finerenone, or Both

J Am Coll CardiolPublished

  • Secondary analysis of the CONFIDENCE randomised trial
  • prespecified
  • double-blind
  • 1:1:1 randomisation

Authors' conclusion

Over 180 days, the combination of empagliflozin and finerenone did not significantly mitigate the risk of hyperkalemia. The treatment effect was maintained regardless of development of hyperkalemia.

Study context

Population
Patients with T2DM, CKD (eGFR 30–90 mL/min/1.73 m²) and albuminuria (UACR 100–5,000 mg/g) on stable renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (RASi) doses
Participants
265 / 255 / 259
Comparison
Empagliflozin + finerenone vs finerenone vs empagliflozin
  • Combinationn = 265
  • Finerenonen = 255reference
  • Empagliflozinn = 259
Primary endpoint
Hyperkalemia (moderate: serum potassium >5.5 mmol/L; severe: >6.0 mmol/L) and change in serum potassium
Follow-up
180 days

Primary result

As reported in the abstract

Hyperkalemia

Combination vs Finerenone: P = 0.85 · Combination vs Finerenone: P = 0.91

Hyperkalemia overall
113 patients (14.5%)

Further findings

Mediation of UACR reduction by hyperkalemia · Day 180

Hyperkalemia not in the causal pathway of UACR reduction

Treatment discontinuations

Few treatment discontinuations

Original publication

Risk of Hyperkalemia With Empagliflozin, Finerenone, or Both. J Am Coll Cardiol. Published 7 November 2025. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2025.10.049

Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it