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A New Class of Antihypertensive Therapy: Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists
Author(s) -
Ellis Melissa L.,
Patterson J. Herbert
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1002/j.1875-9114.1996.tb03001.x
Subject(s) - losartan , angiotensin ii receptor type 1 , angiotensin ii , angiotensin receptor , renin–angiotensin system , pharmacology , medicine , blockade , receptor , angiotensin receptor blockers , angiotensin converting enzyme , blood pressure
Despite the availability of safe and efficacious antihypertensive agents, hypertension continues to be a major source of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Losartan, the first of a new class of agents, the angiotensin II receptor antagonists, can be administered as monotherapy in the treatment of hypertension or to complement existing therapy. The angiotensin II receptor antagonists block the effects of angiotensin II through preferential binding to angiotensin II receptor subtype AT 1 on the cell membrane. Compared with angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors, they may provide more complete blockade of the renin‐angiotensin system and be associated with a lower frequency of cough as a side effect.