To use all functions of this page, please activate cookies in your browser.
my.bionity.com
With an accout for my.bionity.com you can always see everything at a glance – and you can configure your own website and individual newsletter.
- My watch list
- My saved searches
- My saved topics
- My newsletter
Losartan
Losartan (rINN) (pronounced /loʊˈsɑrtən/) is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist drug used mainly to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Losartan was the first angiotensin II receptor antagonist to be marketed. It is currently marketed by Merck & Co. under the trade name Cozaar. Additional recommended knowledge
Clinical useAs with all angiotensin II receptor antagonists, losartan is indicated for the treatment of hypertension. Losartan may also delay progression of diabetic nephropathy and is also indicated for the reduction of renal disease progression in patients with type 2 diabetes, hypertension and microalbuminuria (>30 mg/24 hours) or proteinuria (>900 mg/24 hours).[1] Although angiotensin II receptor antagonists are not usually considered first-line, because of the proven effectivity and lower costs of thiazide diuretics and beta blockers, losartan may be used first-line in patients with increased cardiovascular risk. The LIFE study demonstrated that losartan was significantly superior to atenolol in the primary prevention of adverse cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction or stroke), with a significant reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality for a comparable reduction in blood pressure.[2] Combination with diureticLosartan is available in a combination formulation with a low dose thiazide diuretic, invariably hydrochlorothiazide, to counteract the increase in renin and to achieve an additive antihypertensive effect. The losartan/hydrochlorothiazide combination preparation is marketed by Merck under the trade name Hyzaar. PharmacokineticsAbsorptionLosartan is well absorbed following oral administration. MetabolismLosartan undergoes significant first-pass metabolism to produce 5-carboxylic acid metabolite, designated as EXP3174. This metabolite is long-acting (6 to 8 hr), noncompetitive antagonist at the AT1 receptor and contribute to the pharmacological effects of Losartan. It is 10-40 times more potent in blocking AT1 receptors than Losartan. BioavailabilityLosartan's bioavailability is about 32%. Half lifeLosartan's half life is very short: i.e only 2 hrs. ExcretionFollowing oral administration, 6 % of Losartan is excreted unchanged in the urine. Doses
ResearchLosartan has been found to downregulate the expression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) types I and II receptors in the kidney of diabetic rats, which may partially account for its nephroprotective effects.[3] Effects on TGF-β expression may also account for its potential efficacy in Marfan syndrome and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) – losartan has been shown to prevent aortic aneurysm and certain pulmonary complications in a mouse model of the disease.[4] Mechanism of action & pharmacological actionsLosartan is a selective, competitive AT1 receptor antagonist, reducing the end organ responses to angiotensin II. Losartan administration results in a decrease in total peripheral resistance (afterload) and cardiac venous return (preload) All of the physiological effects of angiotensin II, including stimulation of release of aldosterone, are antagonized in the presence of losartan. Reduction in blood pressure occurs independently of the status of the renin-angiotensin system. As a result of losartan dosing, plasma renin activity increases due to removal of the angiotensin II feedback. References
See also
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Losartan". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia. |