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An eight-residue hormone that is both the target of the world's most prescribed blood-pressure drugs and, since 2017, an approved intravenous vasopressor in its own right.
Also known as: Ang II · Human angiotensin II · 5-L-Isoleucineangiotensin II · Synthetic human angiotensin II
Part of the Foundational & therapeutic peptides cluster
Overview
Angiotensin II is the eight-amino-acid effector peptide of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (sequence DRVYIHPF, ≈1,046 Da) and a potent vasoconstrictor. Its receptors are the target of ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, and since 2017 a synthetic intravenous form has been approved by the US FDA for vasodilatory shock that does not respond to conventional vasopressors.
Source & context
Biological / chemical source: Generated in blood from angiotensin I by angiotensin-converting enzyme; synthetic octapeptide for clinical use
Primary research or clinical context: Endogenous hormone; a synthetic intravenous form is approved by the US FDA (2017) for life-threatening hypotension in septic or other vasodilatory shock unresponsive to conventional vasopressors
What angiotensin II is
Angiotensin II is the active hormone of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system: an eight-residue peptide, Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe, that the IUPHAR Guide to Pharmacology summarises as “a vasopressor” and lists as an approved ligand. It is produced in the circulation when angiotensin-converting enzyme trims two residues from angiotensin I, itself cleaved from the liver protein angiotensinogen by renin. Its effects — arteriolar constriction, aldosterone release, sodium retention, thirst — are the reason a whole class of blood-pressure medicines exists to block its production or its receptors. PubChem lists the human peptide at about 1,046 Da.
Receptors and the drugs that block them
Angiotensin II acts through the AT1 receptor, which mediates vasoconstriction, and the AT2 receptor. ACE inhibitors reduce its formation; angiotensin receptor blockers occupy AT1. The receptor is unusual in also responding to mechanical stretch: a 2022 commentary discusses “mechanosensitive angiotensin II receptor signaling in pressure-induced vasoconstriction” (Chen and Sonkusare, Journal of the American Heart Association 2022), and AT1 blockade has been studied for arrhythmias in ventricular hypertrophy (Salama, Journal of the American Heart Association 2022). Understanding the hormone is therefore a route into understanding some of the most prescribed drugs in medicine.
From hormone to intravenous vasopressor
The same property that makes angiotensin II a target — potent vasoconstriction — makes it useful when blood pressure collapses. According to the IUPHAR record, “an i.v. administered synthetic version of angiotensin II is approved by the US FDA for the treatment of life-threatening hypotension associated with septic or other vasodilatory shock that is unresponsive to high doses of conventional vasopressors,” with the phase 3 trial (NCT02338843) reported by Khanna et al. in 2017. A 2024 review describes it as “a recently introduced vasopressor, which has been available since 2017,” noting that “the novelty and the relatively high cost of angiotensin II currently limit its broader application” and that it is “currently the sole vasopressor functioning through this pathway” (Möller Petrun and Markota, Medicina 2024).
Use in shock: where it fits
Up to one-third of intensive-care admissions carry a diagnosis of shock, and after the FDA's initial approval for vasoplegia the use of angiotensin II “is becoming widespread in all forms of shock, including cardiogenic” (Alam et al., Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia 2022). Reviews in critical-care journals discuss its role in vasodilatory shock (Wakefield et al., Critical Care Clinics 2019), in vasoplegia after cardiac surgery (Siddiqui et al., Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia 2025) and as a distinct-mechanism option alongside catecholamines and vasopressin (Bellomo et al., Intensive Care Medicine 2024). ClinicalTrials.gov listed 354 registered studies naming angiotensin II as an intervention at the September 2026 snapshot, including a phase 4 trial of early use in the emergency department.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Approval | US FDA, 2017 (IUPHAR record) |
| Indication | Septic or other vasodilatory shock unresponsive to high-dose conventional vasopressors |
| Pivotal trial | Phase 3, NCT02338843 (Khanna et al. 2017) |
| Mechanism | Activates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone pathway — the only vasopressor that does |
| Noted limitation | Novelty and relatively high cost (Möller Petrun & Markota 2024) |
Relation to other peptides on this site
Angiotensin II belongs with vasopressin as an endogenous pressor peptide that has become an intravenous drug, and contrasts with bradykinin, the vasodilator peptide that ACE also degrades — which is why ACE inhibitors raise bradykinin and can cause cough and angioedema, treated with the bradykinin antagonist icatibant. Among the site's short peptides it is a useful teaching example: eight residues, one enzyme step from its precursor, two receptors, and an entire pharmacology built around blocking it.
Regulatory status and what this page is not
Angiotensin II is an endogenous hormone. The synthetic intravenous product is an approved hospital medicine in the United States for a narrow critical-care indication and is administered only under intensive-care monitoring; the evidence pack does not carry approvals for other jurisdictions, so none are claimed. Research-grade angiotensin II is a common laboratory reagent for receptor and cardiovascular studies. This profile is educational and is not guidance on obtaining or using any product.
Sequence
One-letter sequence commonly cited for Angiotensin II (educational; isoforms and modifications may differ):
DRVYIHPF
Residues plotted ~100° apart around an α-helix — clustering of one color reveals an amphipathic face.
Structure & chemistry
Molecular identity & reference confidence
Source-supported reference
Reference values are taken from the cited molecular record or curated profile. A database match is not independent laboratory verification; modifications, counter-ions, and formulations can change the measured mass.
- Molecular form
- Linear octapeptide Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe, cleaved from angiotensin I by angiotensin-converting enzyme
- Species
- Not established by this molecular identity audit
- Termini (N / C)
- Not specified / Free acid
Average reference mass
Reference policy updated: 2026-10-05
- IUPHAR/BPS source snapshot · 2026-10-01
- PubChem molecular record · 2026-10-01
- Molecular formula
- C50H71N13O12
- Average reference mass
- ≈ 1,046.2
- Receptors
- Angiotensin AT1 and AT2 receptors (class A G-protein-coupled receptors); vasoconstriction is AT1-mediated
- Backbone
- Linear octapeptide Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe, cleaved from angiotensin I by angiotensin-converting enzyme
- C-terminus
- Free acid
- Status
- Endogenous hormone; synthetic IV angiotensin II approved by the US FDA in 2017 for septic or other vasodilatory shock unresponsive to high-dose conventional vasopressors
- PubChem CID: 172198
- IUPHAR ligand: 2504
- ChEMBL: CHEMBL408403
- CAS RN: 4474-91-3
- UNII: M089EFU921
Chemistry values: curated profile, PubChem, IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology · fetched 2026-10-01.
Clinical development snapshot
ClinicalTrials.gov lists 356 registered studies with “Angiotensin II” as an intervention (snapshot 2026-10-01). A registry footprint is not evidence of efficacy or approval.
| NCT | Title | Phase | Status | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07841522 | A Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of HW243040 in Healthy Par | Phase 1 | not yet recruiting | 2026-09-25 |
| NCT02966665 | : Vascular Function in Health and Disease | Phase 1 | recruiting | 2026-09-25 |
| NCT03777215 | Angiotensin-(1-7) and Energy Expenditure in Human Obesity | Early phase 1 | completed | 2026-09-24 |
| NCT06482853 | Cardiovascular Effects of Angiotensin-(1-7) in Obesity Hypertension | Early phase 1 | recruiting | 2026-09-24 |
| NCT06746753 | Mechanistic Assessment of Norepinephrine Therapy vs. Angiotensin-II in Septic Shock | Phase 4 | not yet recruiting | 2026-09-24 |
| NCT05301192 | Angiotensin-(1-7) Cardiovascular Effects in Aging | Early phase 1 | terminated | 2026-09-24 |
Angiotensin II — reconstitution calculator
Enter how much peptide is in the vial and how much diluent (e.g. bacteriostatic water) is added. The tool returns the resulting solution concentration — and, for any amount you type, the volume it corresponds to. This is educational arithmetic, not a dosing recommendation.
Reference form: Linear octapeptide Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe, cleaved from angiotensin I by angiotensin-converting enzymeAverage reference mass: 1,046.2 Da
Enter an amount to see the volume it corresponds to.
Educational concentration mathematics only. This tool does not recommend a dose, amount, or protocol, and nothing here is medical advice. Many peptides are not authorized by Health Canada for human use — see our reconstitution and bacteriostatic-water guides for context.
Change log
Dated observations from the data pipeline (registry flags, trial footprints, identifiers) and editorial reviews of this profile.
- Trials2 registered studies added on ClinicalTrials.gov (now 356).
- EditorialProfile content reviewed and updated by the editorial team.
FAQ about Angiotensin II
What is Angiotensin II?+
Angiotensin II is the eight-amino-acid effector peptide of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (sequence DRVYIHPF, ≈1,046 Da) and a potent vasoconstrictor. Its receptors are the target of ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, and since 2017 a synthetic intravenous form has been approved by the US FDA for vasodilatory shock that does not respond to conventional vasopressors.
What Canadian product status is recorded for Angiotensin II?+
Canadian product status for Angiotensin II has not been verified in this profile. No verified record here does not mean no authorization exists. Status depends on the product, formulation and use; consult Health Canada's product records.
What is the typical length of Angiotensin II?+
Angiotensin II is commonly described as approximately 8 amino acids (Vasopressor peptide hormone).
What is angiotensin II?+
The eight-residue effector hormone of the renin-angiotensin system (sequence DRVYIHPF), a potent vasoconstrictor formed from angiotensin I by angiotensin-converting enzyme.
Is angiotensin II a drug?+
Yes, since 2017: a synthetic intravenous form is FDA-approved for septic or other vasodilatory shock that does not respond to high doses of conventional vasopressors.
What receptors does angiotensin II act on?+
The AT1 receptor, which mediates vasoconstriction and is the target of angiotensin receptor blockers, and the AT2 receptor.
What is the sequence of angiotensin II?+
Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe (DRVYIHPF), eight amino acids, about 1,046 Da.
Why is angiotensin II not used more widely as a vasopressor?+
A 2024 review cites its novelty and relatively high cost as the current limits on broader use; it remains the only vasopressor acting through the renin-angiotensin pathway.
Related peptides
References & further reading
- 1.Bellomo et al. (2024). Angiotensin II. Intensive Care Med
- 2.Miura (2013). Angiotensin II receptor research. Curr Pharm Des
- 3.Chen et al. (2022). Mechanosensitive Angiotensin II Receptor Signaling in Pressure-Induced Vasoconstriction. J Am Heart Assoc
- 4.Salama (2022). Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers and Arrhythmias in Ventricular Hypertrophy. J Am Heart Assoc
- 5.Wakefield et al. (2019). Angiotensin II in Vasodilatory Shock. Crit Care Clin
- 6.Alam et al. (2022). Angiotensin II: A Review of Current Literature. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth
- 7.Siddiqui et al. (2025). Angiotensin II in Vasoplegia: Expanding Frontiers in Hemodynamic Therapy. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth
- 8.Calò et al. (2022). Angiotensin II, RAS Activation, and RAS Blockers in COVID-19: Unambiguous Evidence. Kidney Blood Press Res
- 9.Möller Petrun & Markota (2024). Angiotensin II — Real-Life Use and Literature Review. Medicina (Kaunas)
- 10.IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology — angiotensin II, ligand 2504
- 11.PubChem — Angiotensin II (CID 172198)