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Pharmacology · patient case question

What is the mechanism of action of CANDESARTAN?

Patient case: Mechanisms of action — candesartan, dexamethasone, rivaroxaban

Scenario: Mechanism-of-action questions on three medications from the patient's list.

  1. Blocks angiotensin II at the AT1 receptor
  2. Blocks beta-1 adrenergic receptors
  3. Blocks calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle
  4. Inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Blocks angiotensin II at the AT1 receptor

  • A. Correct. Candesartan is an ANGIOTENSIN II RECEPTOR BLOCKER (ARB). It competitively blocks angiotensin II at the AT1 receptor, preventing vasoconstriction and aldosterone release. Because it acts downstream of ACE, it does NOT cause the bradykinin accumulation responsible for the ACE-inhibitor cough.
  • B. Beta-1 blockade is the mechanism of metoprolol and atenolol.
  • C. Calcium channel blockade is the mechanism of amlodipine and nifedipine — dentally important because the dihydropyridines cause GINGIVAL ENLARGEMENT.
  • D. ACE inhibition is the mechanism of the '-pril' drugs — lisinopril, enalapril, ramipril — which prevent the CONVERSION of angiotensin I to angiotensin II.

Note: Suffix shortcut: '-SARTAN' = ARB (blocks the RECEPTOR); '-PRIL' = ACE inhibitor (blocks the ENZYME/conversion). This file tests ACE inhibitor MOA repeatedly with slightly different wording — learn both precisely.

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