What is a common side effect of renin inhibitors?

Renin inhibitors, such as aliskiren, primarily work by blocking the activity of renin, an enzyme crucial in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system that regulates blood pressure. A notable side effect associated with many antihypertensive medications, including some renin inhibitors, is a dry cough. This occurs due to the influence these medications have on the pathways that might regulate the production of bradykinin, which, when accumulated, can lead to a cough reflex.

While dry cough is often more commonly associated with ACE inhibitors, renin inhibitors can also contribute to this condition as they modify similar pathways in the body, leading to irritation of the airway. Other options provided, such as increased heart rate, muscle cramps, and fatigue, are less commonly linked specifically to renin inhibitors when compared to the occurrence of dry cough, making this the most relevant answer in the context of side effects associated with these agents.