Eplerenone: Physical Profile and Key Properties

What is Eplerenone?

Eplerenone stands out as a selective aldosterone receptor antagonist, widely recognized in pharmaceuticals for its role in cardiovascular therapy. This compound targets specific mineralocorticoid receptors, limiting unwanted sodium retention and counteracting the impact of aldosterone on blood vessels and the heart. Eplerenone comes into play for patients battling high blood pressure and heart failure after a heart attack, offering a path toward better cardiovascular control. With its targeted action, Eplerenone supports the body’s fluid balance without causing the hormone fluctuations seen in some traditional diuretic drugs.

Products and Raw Material Insights

Most production lines source Eplerenone as a chemical raw material in solid form, designed for pharmaceutical synthesis or as an active ingredient for finished medications. Chemically, it maintains high purity to meet pharmaceutical standards. Manufactures depend on its stable physical characteristics and reliable molecular integrity, so storage conditions receive careful attention—keeping it away from excess moisture and direct sunlight, stored in airtight containers. Raw Eplerenone powder finds use in laboratories developing new dosage forms and for scale-up in industrial pharmaceutical plants. Practitioners and researchers keep an eye on the consistency of each batch for safety and therapy outcomes.

Structure, Molecular Formula, and Property Analysis

The chemical formula for Eplerenone is C24H30O6. This structure presents as an off-white crystalline powder, reflecting its solid, stable nature. Its architecture features a steroid backbone—four fused carbon rings—that classifies it with related mineralocorticoid antagonists. The molecule includes important functional groups, most notably an epoxy ring and a lactone group at the side chain. This molecular configuration ensures higher selectivity and fewer off-target effects, an improvement compared to first-generation drugs like spironolactone. Eplerenone’s density sits around 1.27 g/cm³, which influences formulation approaches for oral medications. These physical features, combined with low solubility in water and greater solubility in organic solvents, guide how the drug is processed during manufacturing and storage.

Physical Description and Formulations

Eplerenone emerges from synthesis as a solid, typically ground into a fine powder suited for pharmaceutical compounding. Its melting range generally hovers between 246°C to 250°C, signaling strong thermal stability. Some suppliers ship it in flakes or granules, but powder is most common. Though technically possible to melt it for liquid formulations, most end use sticks to the powder or crystalline form for stability and shelf life reasons. The powder’s particle size rubs shoulders with industry standards for precision in tablet compression and capsule filling. Handling the substance requires a balance between keeping it dry and avoiding dust inhalation, so good ventilation and dust extraction systems belong anywhere Eplerenone is processed.

HS Code and Regulatory Insights

Shipping Eplerenone, especially as a raw material, falls under HS Code 293499, which covers other heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen. The classification helps customs authorities identify and track this pharmaceutical intermediate across borders. Because Eplerenone serves an essential role in healthcare, importers typically work closely with agencies like the FDA or EMA to assure every shipment meets legal and safety requirements. Tracking under the correct HS Code helps industry professionals manage cross-border compliance, tariff calculations, and import/export paperwork, making sure supply chains flow smoothly.

Safety, Hazard, and Health Considerations

Like most chemicals in the pharmaceutical sector, Eplerenone demands respect from those who handle or transport it. Though not classed among the most hazardous industrial chemicals, prolonged skin exposure can lead to irritation, and ingestion outside a medical context carries health risks. Safety data sheets highlight the need for gloves, goggles, and suitable respirators in production plants. Spilled powder can create slippery surfaces or, worst case, airborne dust hazards. Disposal procedures require sealed containers and compliance with local hazardous waste laws, especially to avoid environmental contamination. From the shelf to the shipping dock, professionals keep a careful record of how the compound is handled and stored, guarding both environmental and worker safety.

Material Use and Practical Applications

Eplerenone’s reliable profile in solid state lets pharmaceutical companies trust its shelf stability and easy storage. Drug manufacturers blend it with inert carriers to form tablets that release the compound in predictable fashion inside the body. Beyond prescription medications, academic researchers use Eplerenone in biochemical assays to probe the role of aldosterone in various disease models, including hypertension, heart failure, and kidney disorders. In compound development, its clearly defined crystalline state and density serve as critical factors for blending and ensuring dosage accuracy in each pill or capsule. This approach supports large-scale rollout of cost-effective and reliable therapy for heart and kidney patients.

Looking Forward: Opportunities and Improvements

With the global focus on improving heart health, Eplerenone finds a steady place on drug formularies. Enhanced formulations—like extended-release or solvent-free tablets—take cues from Eplerenone’s molecular and physical qualities, aiming to fine-tune how long the drug operates in the body and reduce unwanted side effects. The focus on minimizing workplace exposure to powder, while securing consistent quality, drives merit for automation and closed-system handling in manufacturing sites. Smarter packaging, moisture-proofing, and traceability tech like QR-coded labels allow for better inventory tracking and less waste for pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, and patients counting on Eplerenone as part of daily therapy.