Pharmacology and clinical efficacy of angiotensin receptor blockers

The treatment of hypertension has become increasingly refined during the past decade. Although a variety of antihypertensive medication classes exist, drugs that interrupt the renin-angiotensin axis have gained a favored position in the treatment of hypertension and its attendant end-organ complications. In this regard, two drug classes, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, are most commonly used. Angiotensin receptor blockers have proven highly effective in the management of hypertension. This class is fairly heterogeneous with individual class members having somewhat distinctive pharmacologic properties. Eprosartan is a recent entry into this class. This compound compares favorably to others in this class relative to blood pressure reduction. In addition, preliminary studies indicate that this compound may uniquely interrupt the sympathetic nervous system and thereby preferentially reduce systolic blood pressure.