Angiotensin II receptor antagonists and hypertension

Over recent years, a number of imidazole derivatives that specifically bind to the angiotensin II type 1 receptor, thereafter called sartans, have been developed and made available to the clinician. Whether targeting antihypertensive treatment with such a high specificity within the renin cascade may carry major clinical advantage over inhibiting angiotensin converting-enzyme remains to be demonstrated. In short-term studies, the efficacy of these drugs at reducing blood pressure was similar to that of established comparators, whereas overall side effect profile was comparable to that of placebo.