From the Research
The longest half-life ARB is telmisartan, with a half-life of approximately 24 hours. This is based on the study by 1, which states that telmisartan has the longest plasma half-life among all ARBs.
Key Points
- Telmisartan's long half-life allows for sustained 24-hour blood pressure control, making it a highly effective antihypertensive agent 1.
- The medication works by blocking the binding of angiotensin II to its receptors, preventing vasoconstriction and aldosterone release, thereby reducing blood pressure 2.
- Telmisartan is generally well-tolerated, but patients should be monitored for hypotension, hyperkalemia, and renal function changes, especially when starting therapy 3.
- ARBs, including telmisartan, are contraindicated during pregnancy and should not be combined with ACE inhibitors or aliskiren in patients with diabetes 4.
Benefits of Telmisartan
- Sustained 24-hour blood pressure control with once-daily dosing, improving medication adherence 5.
- Effective in reducing blood pressure in patients with mild to moderate hypertension, with a good safety profile 5.
- May have a greater beneficial effect on long-term cardiovascular risk due to its ability to control the early morning blood pressure surge 4.