Benazepril

Benazepril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that affects physiological systems involved in blood pressure and fluid regulation. In the liver, benazepril is hydrolyzed into its active metabolite, benazeprilat, which inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme and prevents the conversion of angiotensin I into angiotensin II. This results in vasodilation, increased renal excretion of sodium and water, and consequently reduced blood pressure and cardiac workload. Angiotensin-converting enzyme is also responsible for the breakdown of bradykinin, so inhibition by benazeprilat increases bradykinin levels, further promoting vasodilation and nitric oxide (NO) release.