NCIt definition : The hydrochloride salt of benazepril, a carboxyl-containing angiotensin-converting
enzyme (ACE) inhibitor with antihypertensive activity. As a prodrug, benazepril is
metabolized to its active form benazeprilat. Benazeprilat competitively binds to and
inhibits ACE, thereby blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II.
This prevents the potent vasoconstrictive actions of angiotensin II, resulting in
vasodilation. Benazeprilat also decreases angiotensin II-induced aldosterone secretion
by the adrenal cortex, which leads to an increase in sodium excretion and subsequently
increases water outflow.;