Drugs Acting on "Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)".
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The drugs which alter the functioning of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) comes under this category and are employed in the management of hypertension and various cardiovascular disorders.
Classification:
A) Drugs inhibiting "Renin" release:
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Propranolol.
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Clonidine.
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Methyl DOPA.
B) Drugs that blocks the actions of "Renin":
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Alaskirin.
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Remiskirin.
C) Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors :
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Captopril.
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Enalpril.
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Lisinopril.
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Ramipril.
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Quinapril.
D) Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB):
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Losartan.
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Valsartan.
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Telmisartan.
A) Drugs inhibiting "Renin" release:
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Renin is an enzyme secreted by "juxtaglomerular apparatus." (specialized structure formed by the distal convoluted tubule and the glomerular afferent arteriole.)
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Renin is responsible for conversion of inactive "Angiotensinogen" to "Angiotensin I". -
The drugs under this class release are known to inhibit release of renin from kidneys. e.g.
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Propranolol.
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Clonidine.
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Methyl DOPA.
B) Drugs that blocks the actions of "Renin":
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These drugs blocks the action of renin on Angiotensinogen released by the liver.
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e.g.
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Alaskirin.
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Remiskirin.
C) Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors :
- Angiotensin Converting Enzyme is an endothelial enzyme present in lungs.
- The enzyme is responsible for the conversion of Angiotensin-I to Angiotensin-II.
- Angiotensin-II is a powerful vasoconstrictor and also has a direct action on adrenal gland causing release of the powerful mineralocorticoid Aldosterone.
- The hypotensive action results from, inhibitory action on RAAS and stimulatory action on kinin-kallikrein system.
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e.g.
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Captopril.
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Enalpril.
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Lisinopril.
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Ramipril.
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Quinapril.
Uses of ACE inhibitors:
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Hypertension.
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Reverse Ventricular Hypertrophy.
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To decrease preload, afterload or sympathetic activity.
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Congestive Cardiac Failure: Cardio protective effect.
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Myocardial infarction: increases survival rate.
Adverse Effects of ACE inhibitors:
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Persistent dry cough (due to bradykinin release/accumulation).
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Hyperkalemia.
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Neutropenia.
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Severe hypotension.
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Allergic manifestations.
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On prolonged use causes renal inefficiency.
D) Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB):
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Angiotensin II is formed under the effect of two enzymes:
a. Angiotensin converting enzyme
b. Kinase
b. Kinase
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When ACE inhibitors are given, angiotensin II is still formed under the effects of kinase.
- It acts on two types of receptors:
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Angiotensin I receptor (AT-1)
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Angiotensin II receptor ( AT-2)

- When angiotensin I receptors are stimulated, they produce effects similar to angiotensin II.
- When angiotensin II receptors are stimulated, they produce effects that of opposite to angiotensin II (hypotensive activity, beneficial in treatment of hypertension).
- Basically they competitive block AT-1 receptors, thus have effects of angiotensin II through angiotensin II receptors.