A 58-year-old man with hypertension and type 2 diabetes is started on a drug that directly inhibits renin, blocking the conversion of angiotensinogen to angiotensin I. Which agent is this?
- A Captopril
- B Aliskiren ✓
- C Losartan
- D Spironolactone
Correct answer: B. Aliskiren
Explanation
Aliskiren is a direct renin inhibitor that acts at the first step of the renin-angiotensin cascade. Captopril is an ACE inhibitor, losartan an angiotensin receptor blocker, and spironolactone a mineralocorticoid antagonist. Only aliskiren directly inhibits renin.
Reference: Katzung's Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 15th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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