(2S,4S)-4-cyclohexyl-1-[2-[[(1S)-2-methyl-1-propanoyloxy-propoxy]-(4-phenylbutyl)phosphoryl]ethanoyl]pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid
Fosinopril is a phosphinic acid-containing angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor with antihypertensive activity. As an ester prodrug, fosinopril is hydrolysed by esterases to its active metabolite fosinoprilat. Fosinoprilat specifically and competitively inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme thereby decreasing the formation of the potent vasoconstrictor angiotensin II, resulting in diminished vasopressor activity. In addition, angiotensin II-mediated aldosterone secretion by adrenal cortex is decreased, which results in a decrease of sodium retention and an increase in water outflow.