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. DISCUSSION: 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.