Which medication is used to treat hyperaldosteronism?

Which medication is used to treat hyperaldosteronism?

• A. spironolactone
• B. metformin
• C. lisinopril
• D. amiloride

Answer: (A)

Blockade of aldosterone’s action is the most effective way to treat hyperaldosteronism. Spironolactone is a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, so it directly counteracts the effects of excess aldosterone in the kidneys. By competing with aldosterone at the receptor in the collecting ducts, it reduces sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion, helping to lower blood pressure and correct hypokalemia. This makes spironolactone a classic first-line medical therapy for primary hyperaldosteronism (with eplerenone as a more selective alternative). The other options don’t target the aldosterone receptor: metformin treats diabetes, lisinopril reduces angiotensin II activity without directly blocking aldosterone’s receptor, and amiloride is a potassium-sparing diuretic that affects ENaC but isn’t the primary targeted treatment for hyperaldosteronism.

Blockade of aldosterone’s action is the most effective way to treat hyperaldosteronism. Spironolactone is a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, so it directly counteracts the effects of excess aldosterone in the kidneys. By competing with aldosterone at the receptor in the collecting ducts, it reduces sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion, helping to lower blood pressure and correct hypokalemia. This makes spironolactone a classic first-line medical therapy for primary hyperaldosteronism (with eplerenone as a more selective alternative). The other options don’t target the aldosterone receptor: metformin treats diabetes, lisinopril reduces angiotensin II activity without directly blocking aldosterone’s receptor, and amiloride is a potassium-sparing diuretic that affects ENaC but isn’t the primary targeted treatment for hyperaldosteronism.