Angiotensin receptor antagonists.
BACKGROUND
Angiotensin receptor antagonists are a relatively new class of cardiovascular drugs for which the clinical application has not yet been completely defined.


OBJECTIVE
This article reviews the pharmacology of the various angiotensin receptor antagonists available in Australia, including their mode of action, side effects and potential drug interactions.


CONCLUSIONS
Angiotensin receptor antagonists are effective drugs for the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension which have a side effect profile similar to placebo. Their role in the management of hypertension remains to be defined, but they are of particular use to patients who are intolerant of ACE inhibitors because of cough. It is uncertain at the present time whether the benefits of ACE inhibition in other disorders such as congestive heart failure and following myocardial infarction will be similar for angiotensin receptor blockers.
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, St George Hospital, New South Wales.
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Wong
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Howes
D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001565:Benzoates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077405:Irbesartan; D019808:Losartan / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077333:Telmisartan; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D001565:Benzoates; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D013777:Tetrazoles; D000804:Angiotensin II; D000077405:Irbesartan; D019808:Losartan; C081643:candesartan; D000077333:Telmisartan