Zabicipril is an ethyl ester prodrug that is converted in vivo to zabiciprilat. Zabicipril induced an early, potent, and long-lasting converting enzyme inhibition. Furthermore, zabicipril did not affect plasma catecholamines and atrial natriuretic factor. It is antihypertensive and peripheral vasodilator. In normal men, zabicipril increases the renal fraction of cardiac output in the absence of a concomitant change in systemic haemodynamics. This specific effect of zabicipril on the kidney may be less important with advancing age.