NCIt definition : The hydrochloride salt of imidapril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
with antihypertensive activity. As a prodrug, imidapril is converted by hydrolysis
in the liver into its active form imidaprilat. Imidaprilat 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. Imidaprilat also decreases angiotensin II-induced aldosterone secretion
by the adrenal cortex, which leads to an increase in sodium excretion and subsequently
increases water outflow.;