NCIt definition : A non-thiol angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor with antihypertensive activity.
As a prodrug, zabicipril is rapidly converted in vivo by de-esterification into its
active form zabiciprilat. Zabiciprilat 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 and results in vasodilation. Zabiciprilat
also decreases angiotensin II-induced aldosterone secretion by the adrenal cortex,
which leads to an increase in sodium excretion and subsequently increases water outflow.;