Enalaprilat is the active metabolite of enalapril, used primarily for hypertension and heart failure in patients requiring intravenous therapy. Unlike oral enalapril, enalaprilat is administered IV and works immediately by inhibiting the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, causing vasodilation, lowered blood pressure, and reduced cardiac workload, while also providing cardiovascular and renal protection. Developed in the late 1970s–early 1980s alongside enalapril to improve potency and tolerability over older ACE inhibitors like captopril, enalaprilat is used in acute settings for rapid blood pressure control, offering a reliable and effective option in cardiovascular therapy.
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