NCIt definition : The sodium salt of fosinopril, a phosphinic acid-containing angiotensin-converting
enzyme (ACE) inhibitor with antihypertensive activity. Fosinopril sodium is an ester
prodrug that is hydrolysed by esterases to its active metabolite fosinoprilat. Fosinoprilat
specifically and competitively inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme thereby decreasing
the formation of the potent vasoconstrictor angiotensin II, resulting in diminished
vasopressor activity. In addition, angiotensin II-mediated aldosterone secretion by
adrenal cortex is decreased, which results in a decrease of sodium retention and an
increase of serum potassium. (NCI05);