AT1-Blocker

AT1 blockers, like ACE inhibitors, attack the angiotensin mechanism of the body, but at different sites.ACE inhibitors prevent the development and formation of angiotensin. AT1 blockers do not prevent the formation of angiotensin, but the transmission of the angiotensin signal at the receptors for angiotensin. The consequence is that the actual effect of the receptor is not triggered.

This means that the vessels cannot become narrow, but remain wide open, so that the blood pressure can be kept lower. AT1 blockers are also called Sartane. They have been available on the market since 1996, and in addition to the original substance Losartan, several other representatives of the group are now available.

Known representatives of this group are Losartan, Valsartan, Candesartan or Eprosartan. The main differences to the ACE inhibitors, despite similar principles of action, are their side effects. In contrast to the ACE inhibitors, Sartanes trigger the irritable cough much less frequently.

This makes them a very good alternative for affected patients who suffer from a chesty cough. The therapy starts with the lowest dose and is then slowly increased up to the target range. While Losartan required several daily doses, newer substances such as candesartan require only one daily dose.

The reason for this is the longer time of action in the body, as the substances are broken down more slowly. The most common side effects of Sartane are headaches, tiredness and dizziness. Calcium channel blockers also reduce the narrowing of blood vessels in the body.

They owe their name to the way they work in the body: calcium causes narrowing of the vessels. Here, too, there are structures that act on a certain messenger substance to open a channel, a kind of door to the cell. This opening allows calcium to flow into the cell and leads to a narrowing of the vessels.

If this channel through which the calcium flows in is blocked, this stimulus is absent and the vessel remains wide. Calcium channel blockers contain various chemical substances, all of which prevent the influx of calcium. The main representatives are from the chemical group of dihydropyridines.

Their side effects are essentially an increased, faster pulse and water retention in the legs, so-called edema. Other substances of the calcium channel blockers also affect the calcium balance in the heart, so that it beats more slowly and less powerfully and can thus be supplied more easily with sufficient oxygen. The group of calcium channel blockers, which includes the active substances verapamil and diltiazem from the chemical group of phenylalkylamines and benzothiazepines, is also used in patients with coronary heart disease or cardiac arrhythmia in addition to hypertension therapy.

The main side effects of nifedipine and verapamil are slowing of the heartbeat (= bradycardia: “brady” = slow) and cardiac arrhythmia. Common side effects of all calcium channel blockers are headache, dizziness and flushing of the face associated with a feeling of warmth and as with most other medications, allergic reactions may occur.

Nifedipine or
Amlodipine