The importance of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the pathogenesis of hypertension and in renal disease, particularly in patients with diabetes, has become increasingly evident. Pharmacological blockade of the RAAS offers potential for the therapeutic management of these pathologies. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II (AII) receptor blockers have been shown to exhibit effectiveness in the treatment of hypertension. AII receptor blockers have a renal protective effect owing to their ability to reduce systemic blood and intraglomerular pressures. Eprosartan is a chemically distinct AII blocker, which displays a dual mode of action whereby it blocks both pre- and postsynaptic AT(1) receptors, potentially benefiting patients with hypertension and renal disease. In addition, evidence suggests that eprosartan is well tolerated by both healthy subjects and patients with varying degree of renal impairment, such that the dose does not need to be modified in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment. Results from preliminary studies demonstrates that eprosartan doses will below those required for blood pressure control have a pronounced effect on the kidney and do not compromise renal autoregulatory mechanisms. Therefore, eprosartan may have a benefit in the prevention or delay of renal damage in hypertensive patients with renal impairment, although this remains to be determined in a clinical setting.