What does the INN stem “-sartan” mean?
In the International Nonproprietary Names (INN) system, the stem “-sartan” is used for drugs that are angiotensin II receptor antagonists (often called angiotensin receptor blockers, or ARBs). These medicines block the action of angiotensin II at its receptor.
Which drug classes use the “-sartan” stem?
The “-sartan” stem identifies members of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist/ARB class, meaning the active ingredient is designed to block angiotensin II signaling by inhibiting its receptor.
Is “sartan” the same as “-pril” or other INN stems?
No. INN stems map to mechanism or pharmacologic family. “-sartan” specifically points to angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARBs), while other common stems correspond to different drug actions (for example, “-pril” drugs are typically angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, not receptor blockers).
How does this help with identifying new or unfamiliar medicines?
If a drug name ends with “-sartan,” it strongly suggests the medicine is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. That can help quickly narrow down its likely target and therapeutic use.
Common examples that match the “-sartan” stem
Many well-known ARBs include drug names ending in “-sartan” (for example, losartan, valsartan, irbesartan, candesartan, telmisartan, and others). These names reflect the shared INN stem used for this drug class.