Angiotensin ii receptor blockers

Angiotensin II receptor blockers

ARBs for short, these medications block the action of angiotensin II (hormone that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance, sodium and water) by preventing angiotensin II from binding to angiotensin II receptors on the muscles surrounding blood vessels. As a result, blood vessels widen, enlarge, relax (dilate), and blood pressure is reduced, making it easier for the heart to pump blood. ARBs are some of the best selling drugs for treating high blood pressure, heart failure, and kidney disease from diabetes, but no good studies comparing these drugs to each other exist. One study showed that patients taking Merck’s Losartan had almost a 50% higher risk of dying compared with those taking AstraZeneca’s Candesartan.

COMPARISON OF ANGIOTENSIN II RECEPTOR BLOCKERS (ARBs)
Drug Half life/Elimination Dose Equivalence Maximum daily dose
Losartan (Cozaar®) 6-9 hrs   50mg 100mg
Candesartan (Atacand®) 9 hrs 8mg 32mg
Eprosartan (Teveton®) 20 hrs 600mg 800mg
Irbesartan (Avapro®) 11-15 hrs 150mg   300mg
Telmisartan (Micardis®) 24 hrs   40mg 80mg
Valsartan (Diovan®) 6 hrs   80mg   160mg (evaluated in heart failure studies)
Azilsartan 11 hrs
Olmesartan   13 hours
Fimasartan 7–11 hours

SEE HOW ANGIOTENSIN II RECEPTOR BLOCKERS AFFECTED OTHERS

Angiotensin II receptor blockers

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