title: Pharmacologic, pharmacokinetic, and therapeutic differences among angiotensin II receptor antagonists.
abstract: Over the past 4 years, six angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARBs) were approved for treating essential hypertension. They differ with respect to dosing, metabolism, elimination, clinical efficacy, and investigational applications. Candesartan cilexetil is the only prodrug among the agents. Losartan is distinguished from other ARBs by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4- and CYP2C9-mediated biotransformation to its active metabolite EXP-3174. No ARB requires dosage adjustment for renal impairment, but the initial dose of losartan should be reduced 50% in hepatically impaired patients. None of the drugs is significantly cleared by hemodialysis. Completion of continuing trials will elucidate the drugs' role in treating heart failure, cerebral stroke, and myocardial infarction.
authors.affiliation: Drug Information Center, Hartford Hospital, Connecticut 06102-5037, USA.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents