Angiotensin receptor blockers

Block angiotensin II at the AT1 receptor; RAAS interruption without bradykinin accumulation.

Members

LosartanThe first ARB: RAAS blockade without the bradykinin baggage.ValsartanThe ARB that carries the heart-failure and post-infarct evidence.CandesartanThe tightest-binding ARB, and the one with a migraine side-line.

Also in this class: Candesartan (HF evidence) · Valsartan (sacubitril partner) · Irbesartan · Telmisartan (longest half-life). Full pages arrive as the library grows.

Compare the members

Drug	Half-life	Distinguishing point
Losartan	6-9 h (metabolite)	Mild uricosuric effect

Losartan

Half-life: 6-9 h (metabolite)
Distinguishing point: Mild uricosuric effect

Shared across the class

Indications: Hypertension · Proteinuric CKD · HFrEF (candesartan, valsartan) · ACE-inhibitor-intolerant patients
Adverse effects: Hyperkalemia · Creatinine bump · Hypotension
Contraindications: Pregnancy · Bilateral renal artery stenosis
Monitoring: Creatinine and potassium after changes · Blood pressure

What makes each agent different

Losartan is the shortest-acting and mildest; telmisartan the longest.
Losartan uniquely lowers uric acid a little, occasionally exploited in gouty hypertensives.
Candesartan and valsartan carry the heart-failure trials.

Cough on an ACE inhibitor? Switch to an ARB. Angioedema? Think hard and consult. It is not an automatic swap.

Last reviewed 2026-08-15 · Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed.