ARBs (class)

Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.

About ARBs

What it is

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs or sartans) are a class of medicines that block the AT1 receptor, so angiotensin II can no longer narrow blood vessels or make the body hold salt. The class includes losartan, valsartan, candesartan, irbesartan, telmisartan and olmesartan, used for high blood pressure, heart failure and to protect the kidneys in diabetes. They rarely cause the cough seen with ACE inhibitors. This page collects studies on ARBs as a group.

How genes come into it

Studies of the class as a whole looked at PRKCA, NOS3 and the beta-receptor genes for blood pressure response and heart outcomes. Losartan and irbesartan are broken down by CYP2C9, and those findings are on their own pages. The findings come from a few studies, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.

What research found

Every published finding on gene variants and ARBs. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.

Rated evidence (3 rated variants)

PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.

NOS3 rs1799983: Level 3. Efficacy: Heart Failure. 1.

ADRB2 rs1042713: Level 3. Efficacy: Heart Failure. 1.

ADRB1 rs1801253: Level 3. Efficacy: Heart Failure. 1.

Response (3 findings)

Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.

MMP16 rs10504861: Allele C is associated with increased response to Angiotensin II Antagonists in people with Migraine with Aura or Migraine without Aura as compared to allele T.

PRKCA rs9303504: Allele G is not associated with response to Ace Inhibitors, Plain, Angiotensin II Antagonists or Beta Blocking Agents in people with Heart Failure as compared to allele C.

PRKCA rs9909004: Allele C is not associated with response to Ace Inhibitors, Plain, Angiotensin II Antagonists or Beta Blocking Agents in people with Heart Failure as compared to allele T.

Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.

Related Drugs

More drugs from the same category

Atacand (ARBs)

Avapro (ARBs)

Cozaar (ARBs)

Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.

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Content updated September 2026.

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