RAS-acting agents work by blocking different stages of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS).
ARBs (containing the active substances azilsartan, candesartan, eprosartan, irbesartan, losartan, olmesartan, telmisartan or valsartan) block receptors for a hormone called angiotensin II. Blocking the action of this hormone allows blood vessels to widen and helps to reduce the amount of water re-absorbed by the kidneys, thereby reducing blood pressure in the body.
ACE-inhibitors (benazepril, captopril, cilazapril, delapril, enalapril, fosinopril, imidapril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, spirapril, trandolapril or zofenopril) and the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren block the actions of specific enzymes involved in the production of angiotensin II in the body (ACE-inhibitors block angiotensin-converting enzyme, while renin inhibitors block an enzyme called renin).
RAS-acting agents have been authorised in the European Union (EU) through central and national approval procedures and are widely available in the EU under a variety of trade names.
