Clinical pharmacology of angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists

The angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists are the latest class of antihypertensive agents to be approved for treatment of hypertension. They have a similar efficacy in lowering blood pressure as other classes of antihypertensive agents. The blood pressure-lowering effect is potentiated when given concomitantly with low-dose thiazide diuretics. These agents are well-tolerated, with an incidence of adverse effects similar to that of placebo and significantly lower than experienced with the other class of renin-angiotensin system antagonists, the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Dose adjustments are often not necessary in patients with renal or hepatic insufficiency or in the elderly. In summary, these agents are efficacious for blood pressure lowering with a single daily dose.