Heart and blood pressure
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
Used for
High blood pressure, heart failure
How it works
Stop angiotensin II from attaching to blood vessels, so they relax. They work like ACE inhibitors but rarely cause a cough.
Watch for
Not used together with an ACE inhibitor.
- Name clue
- -sartan
- Examples
- losartan (Cozaar)
- valsartan (Diovan)
- olmesartan (Benicar)
More in heart and blood pressure
- ACE inhibitorsHigh blood pressure, heart failure
- ARB + neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI)Heart failure
- Beta blockersHigh blood pressure, fast heart rate, chest pain
- Calcium channel blockersHigh blood pressure, chest pain
- Alpha blockersEnlarged prostate (BPH); some lower blood pressure
- Thiazide diureticsHigh blood pressure, mild swelling
- Loop diureticsFluid buildup (edema), heart failure
- Potassium-sparing diureticsHeart failure, blood pressure, fluid
- NitratesChest pain (angina)
- Cardiac glycosidesHeart failure, atrial fibrillation
- AntiarrhythmicsIrregular heart rhythms
A study and reference aid. Follow the product labeling and your pharmacist for anything about a patient's medicine.
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