Canrenone inhibits the production of eortieosterone, 18-hydroxydesoxyeortieosterone, 18-hydroxycorticosterone and aldosterone in a dose-dependent manner. Canrenone dose-dependently reduces platelet-derived growth factor–induced cell proliferation and motility. Canrenone inhibits the activity of the Na ⁺ /H ⁺ exchanger 1 induced by platelet-derived growth factor.

Canrenone is the principal active metabolite of Spironolactone in the rat only for a limited period. During chronic treatment a difference developed between the effect of Spironolactone and Canrenone on the RAAS indicating a decrease in the anti-mineralocorticoid activity of Canrenone and an increase in the efficacy of Spironolactone.