Pharmacology of irbesartan

Abstract

Despite the introduction of new antihypertensive agents such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium channel antagonists, the blood pressure of fewer than 30% of hypertensive patients is controlled with current therapies; compliance and continuation with medication are poor. The renin-angiotensin system is important in the pathophysiology of hypertension, end-organ damage and congestive cardiac failure. Irbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist that provides dose-dependent, specific, insurmountable blockade of the AT1 receptor both in vivo and in vitro. It is rapidly absorbed after oral administration, has a bioavailability of 60-80% with no food effect, does not re..