[The advent of a new class of antihypertensive agents: angiotensin II receptor antagonists].
The objective of this article is to give more information about the pharmacology of and recent clinical data on the angiotensin II receptors antagonists. The angiotensin II receptors antagonists, of which Losartan will be the first representative on the Belgian market, constitute a new therapeutic class in the treatment of hypertension and even heart failure. They are non peptic and orally active and their long mechanism of action allows one daily administration to improve therapeutic compliance. These agents block all known effects of the angiotensin II through binding to the AT1 receptors. Thanks to this unique mechanism of action they reduce blood pressure with a lower incidence of the adverse effects commonly associated with other antihypertensives. In controlled clinical trials, overall incidence of adverse experiences was comparable to placebo. Addition of thiazide-type diuretics provides additive efficacy.
Lefebvre
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Service de Cardiologie, Hopitaux Civils du CPAS de Charleroi, Mont-Sur-Marchienne.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000188:drug therapy; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D004232:Diuretics; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D015994:Incidence; D019808:Losartan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010919:Placebos; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use
D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D004232:Diuretics; D010919:Placebos; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; D000804:Angiotensin II; D019808:Losartan