What is "benazepril"

n. (context pharmaceutical drug English) A drug used to treat hypertension, congestive heart failure, and chronic renal failure.

Benazepril, brand name Lotensin ( Novartis), is an ACE inhibitor used primarily in treatment of hypertension, congestive heart failure, and heart attacks, and also in preventing the renal and retinal complications of diabetes.

ACE inhibitors relax blood vessels, and decrease blood volume, which lowers blood pressure and decreases oxygen demand from the heart. They inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme, which is part of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system.

Benazepril is a prodrug which is metabolized by the liver into its active form benazeprilat via cleavage of the drug's ester group.