Angiotensin II
Also known as: Giapreza, LJPC-501, Synthetic human angiotensin II
A synthetic form of the human octapeptide hormone used as an IV vasopressor in shock. FDA-approved as Giapreza (2017). Hospital-only medication.
Last updated
Mechanism of Action
Angiotensin II is the endogenous eight-amino-acid effector of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Given intravenously, it binds angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptors on vascular smooth muscle, causing vasoconstriction and a rise in blood pressure, and it also stimulates aldosterone and vasopressin release. It raises mean arterial pressure through a pathway distinct from catecholamines and vasopressin, which is why it is used as an add-on vasopressor.
- Half-life
- Under 1 minute (IV)
- Administration Routes
- Intravenous
- Research Status
- Clinical
Reported Benefits
- Raises blood pressure in adults with septic or other distributive shock
- Approved as an add-on when other vasopressors are not enough
- May allow lower catecholamine doses (studied in ATHOS-3)
Potential Side Effects
- Arterial and venous thromboembolic events
- Thrombocytopenia
- Tachycardia
- Fungal infection and delirium (reported in trials)
Common Dosing
Giapreza is given only in hospital, usually in the ICU, as a continuous intravenous infusion through a central line. It is started at a low rate and titrated by the care team to a blood-pressure target, then weaned as the patient improves, and patients receive blood-clot prophylaxis. Dosing is set and supervised by the prescribing clinician.
The dosing information above is aggregated from research literature and anecdotal community reports for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation, prescription, or medical advice. Peptides are sold as research chemicals only and are not intended for human use.
Contraindications
- No contraindications listed on the US label
- Thrombosis risk: concurrent VTE prophylaxis is advised
- Use only with continuous hemodynamic monitoring in a hospital setting
No documented stacking partners for Angiotensin II yet.