Enalapril is a widely used angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor prescribed for hypertension, heart failure, and asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction. It works by inhibiting the ACE enzyme, reducing the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, which leads to vasodilation, lowered blood pressure, and decreased cardiac workload. Enalapril also provides cardiovascular protection and can help in renal protection, particularly in diabetic nephropathy, and is administered orally as a prodrug that is converted in the liver to its active form, enalaprilat. Developed in the late 1970s to improve efficacy and tolerability over earlier ACE inhibitors like captopril, enalapril received FDA approval in 1985 and became a cornerstone in cardiovascular therapy due to its once-daily dosing, favorable safety profile, and proven benefits, remaining widely prescribed and serving as a reference standard for newer agents in its class.
