angiotensin–receptor blocker

:  any of a class of drugs (such as losartan and valsartan) that block the effects of angiotensin II by inhibiting access to a subset of its receptors and that are used especially in the treatment of hypertension Newer drugs called angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) work in a way similar to the ACE inhibitors and have a very low side-effect profile …—James L. Januzzi, Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2005 The newer angiotensin II receptor blockers also relax blood vessels.—Jane E. Allen, The Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2002—abbreviation ARB