pentopril

Pentopril (CGS 13945) is a non-sulfhydryl, orally active **angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor** developed for the treatment of hypertension and was also studied for potential disease-modifying effects in rheumatoid arthritis. Mechanistically, pentopril inhibits ACE, thereby preventing the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, resulting in decreased vasoconstriction and lower aldosterone levels, which reduces blood pressure. It is a prodrug that is hydrolyzed in vivo to its active form. Pentopril was developed as an alternative to thiol-containing ACE inhibitors like captopril to avoid side effects associated with sulfhydryl groups, though its clinical efficacy as a DMARD in rheumatoid arthritis was unsatisfactory[1][4][7].