NCIt definition : 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.;