Irbesartan

**Semantic type:** Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A nonpeptide angiotensin II antagonist with antihypertensive activity. Irbesartan selectively and competitively blocks the binding of angiotensin II to the angiotensin I receptor. Angiotensin II stimulates aldosterone synthesis and secretion by adrenal cortex, which decreases the excretion of sodium and increases the excretion of potassium. Angiotensin II also acts as a vasoconstrictor in vascular smooth muscle. (NCI05)

**Synonyms:** - Avapro - IRBESARTAN