---
title: "Angiotensin II"
canonical_url: https://peptidelibrary.app/library/angiotensin-ii
description: "Synthetic form of the endogenous octapeptide hormone, approved to raise blood pressure in adults with septic or other distributive shock."
updated: 2026-11-07
publisher: Peptide Library
notice: "Research and educational use only. Not medical advice."
---

# Angiotensin II

Angiotensin II is an FDA-approved vasoconstrictor peptide in the Angiotensin Receptor Agonist class. Angiotensin II binds the AT1 receptor on vascular smooth muscle, a Gq-coupled receptor whose activation raises intracellular calcium and produces vasoconstriction. It also stimulates aldosterone release and promotes renal sodium and water retention.

Synthetic form of the endogenous octapeptide hormone, approved to raise blood pressure in adults with septic or other distributive shock.

## Classification

- Type: FDA-approved vasoconstrictor peptide
- Mechanism class: Angiotensin Receptor Agonist
- Development stage: Approved product
- Regulatory class: FDA-approved medicine

## Mechanism

Angiotensin II binds the AT1 receptor on vascular smooth muscle, a Gq-coupled receptor whose activation raises intracellular calcium and produces vasoconstriction. It also stimulates aldosterone release and promotes renal sodium and water retention. Because it acts through a pathway independent of adrenergic receptors, it can raise blood pressure in shock states where catecholamine responsiveness is impaired.

## Properties

- Sequence: Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe
- Length: 8
- Molecular formula: C50H71N13O12
- Molecular weight: 1,046.2 g/mol
- CAS number: 4474-91-3
- Half-life: Less than one minute in plasma after intravenous administration (Giapreza label)
- Studied routes: Intravenous

## Evidence

- Evidence level: FDA Approved
- Highest documented: Regulatory review (FDA label)
- Human trials: 0
- Controlled human trials: 0
- Preclinical sources: 0

Each step shows whether the sources Peptide Library has reviewed include that kind of research. Counts are reviewed sources, not every study ever published. Reviews and programme summaries that describe human use are shown as "reported", not as trials, and registered trials without published results are listed but not counted. A higher step means research has progressed further; it does not mean a compound works better or is safer. Compounds whose evidence has not been reviewed yet show "Not reviewed" instead of a guess.

### Studies

1. GIAPREZA (angiotensin II) injection — FDA prescribing information, DailyMed. Regulatory label (FDA), human. Population: Adults with septic or other distributive shock. Increased blood pressure; studied in ATHOS-3, 321 adults who stayed hypotensive despite fluids and vasopressors [Source](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c265d69a-3efe-4107-9a9e-e6fd3d531c48)

## Safety

Human safety basis: FDA prescribing information

## Regulatory status

Angiotensin II is an FDA-approved product for specific labelled indications. Approval does not extend to the research contexts described on this page, and approved products are prescription medicines.

- FDA status: Approved
- Availability: Prescription-Only

## Frequently asked questions

### What is Angiotensin II?

Synthetic form of the endogenous octapeptide hormone, approved to raise blood pressure in adults with septic or other distributive shock.

### How does Angiotensin II work?

Angiotensin II binds the AT1 receptor on vascular smooth muscle, a Gq-coupled receptor whose activation raises intracellular calcium and produces vasoconstriction. It also stimulates aldosterone release and promotes renal sodium and water retention.

### Is Angiotensin II FDA approved?

Yes. Angiotensin II is approved by the FDA, and approved products are prescription medicines. Approval is always for specific indications studied in clinical trials, so an approved status does not mean the compound is approved for every use it is discussed for. Research-chemical material sold under the same name is not the approved product.

### What is the amino acid sequence of Angiotensin II?

Angiotensin II has the sequence Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe, giving a chain of 8 amino acids. Its molecular formula is C50H71N13O12.

### What peptides are similar to Angiotensin II?

Compounds most often compared with Angiotensin II include Cetrorelix, Corticorelin, Cosyntropin and Degarelix. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.

## References

- [Angiotensin II as a Vasopressor for Perioperative Hypotension in Solid Organ Transplant — Biomedicines, 2024](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39200281/)
- [Angiotensin II-Real-Life Use and Literature Review — Medicina (Kaunas), 2024](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39336524/)
- [Angiotensin II: A Review of Current Literature — J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth, 2022](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34452817/)
- [Roles of angiotensin II as vasopressor in vasodilatory shock — Future Cardiol, 2020](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32462921/)
- [Angiotensin II in septic shock — J Intensive Care Soc, 2019](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30792767/)