Angiotensin II antagonists.
Acute blockade of the renin-angiotensin system with the parenterally active angiotensin II antagonist saralasin has been shown to effectively lower blood pressure in a large fraction of patients with essential hypertension and to improve hemodynamics in some patients with congestive heart failure. It is now possible to antagonize chronically angiotensin II at its receptor using the non-peptide angiotensin II inhibitor losartan (DuP 753, MK 954). When administered by mouth, this compound induces a dose-dependent inhibition of the pressor response to exogenous angiotensin II. This effect is closely related to circulating levels of the active metabolite E3174. Preliminary studies performed in hypertensive patients suggest that losartan has a blood pressure lowering action equivalent to that of an ACE inhibitor. Whether this compound will compare favorably with ACE inhibitors requires however further investigation.
Brunner
H R
HR
Division of Hypertension, University Hospital, CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Nussberger
J
J
Burnier
M
M
Waeber
B
B
D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000818:Animals; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D019808:Losartan; D012016:Reference Values; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects; D012504:Saralasin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology
D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D007093:Imidazoles; D013777:Tetrazoles; D000804:Angiotensin II; D012504:Saralasin; D019808:Losartan