Benazepril is a prodrug of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor benazeprilat. It is metabolized to benazeprilat by hepatic esterases. Benazepril inhibits the in vitro enzymatic activity of partially purified ACE isolated from rabbit lung (IC₅₀ = 2 nM). Reduces blood pressure and myocardial hypertrophy in spontaneous hypertensive rats.