How New Developments in Pharmacology Receptor Theory Are Changing (Our Understanding of) Hypertension Therapy

Abstract

Background: Many hypertension therapeutics were developed prior to major advances in drug receptor theory. Moreover, newer drugs may take advantage of some of the newly understood modalities of receptor function. Goal: The goal of this review is to provide an up-to-date summary of drug receptor theory. This is followed by a discussion of the drug classes recognized for treating hypertension to which new concepts in receptor theory apply. Results: We raise ideas for mechanisms of potential new antihypertensive drugs and whether they may take advantage of new theories in drug-receptor interaction.