Benazepril Hydrochloride

**Semantic type:** Organic Chemical|Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** The hydrochloride salt of benazepril, 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.

**Synonyms:** - BENAZEPRIL HYDROCHLORIDE - Benazepril HCl - CGS14824A - Lotensin