Final answer:
Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists are medications used to manage hypertension and heart failure, including Losartan, Telmisartan, Valsartan, Candesartan, Eprosartan, and Irbesartan. They work by blocking the effects of angiotensin II on blood vessels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists (ARBs), also known as Angiotensin-2 Receptor Blockers, are medications used primarily to manage hypertension and heart failure. Common examples of these medications include:
- Losartan (Cozaar)
- Telmisartan (Micardis)
- Valsartan (Diovan)
- Candesartan (Atacand)
- Eprosartan (Teveten)
- Irbesartan (Avapro)
These drugs function by blocking the action of angiotensin II, which is a potent vasopressor (a substance that narrows blood vessels), thereby reducing blood pressure. Another class of medication related to this mechanism is the Angiotensin-Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitors (ARNIs), which are a combination of neprilysin inhibitors and ARBs, offering a newer approach in the pharmacological management of heart failure.
For comparison, ACE inhibitors, such as Enalapril (Vasotec) or Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), target the earlier step in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system by blocking the enzyme responsible for converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II.