Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that is hydrolyzed in the liver to the active metabolite moexiprilat (IC50 values are 2.1 and 2700 nM for moexiprilat and moexipril respectively). Antihypertensive; decreases mean blood pressure in the spontaneous hypertensive rat (SHR). Also blocks degradation of bradykinin into inactive metabolites.