Quinapril

Pronunciation: KWIN-a-pril
Generic Name: Quinapril
Brand Name: Accupril

Quinapril can cause injury and possibly death to the fetus when used after the third month of pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away.

Quinapril is used for:

Treating high blood pressure alone or with other medicines. It is used along with other medicines to manage heart failure. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Quinapril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It works by relaxing blood vessels. This helps to lower blood pressure.

Do NOT use Quinapril if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Quinapril


• you are in the second or third trimester of pregnancy


• you have a history of angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue) caused by treatment with an ACE inhibitor

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Quinapril:

Some medical conditions may interact with Quinapril. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you are able to become pregnant


• if you have a history of heart problems (eg, heart failure, aortic stenosis), blood vessel problems, blood flow problems, bone marrow problems, or kidney or liver problems


• if you have a history of stroke, recent heart attack, or kidney transplant


• if you have an autoimmune disease (eg, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma)


• if you are dehydrated or have low blood volume


• if you have high blood potassium levels, low blood sodium levels, or are on a low-salt (sodium) diet.


• if you have diabetes, especially if you are also taking aliskiren


• if you are scheduled to have major surgery or are on dialysis

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Quinapril. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Aldosterone blockers (eg, eplerenone), aliskiren, potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone, triamterene), or potassium preparations because the risk of high blood potassium levels may be increased


• Angiotensin receptor blockers (eg, losartan) because the risk of serious kidney problems and high blood potassium levels may be increased


• Clozapine, cyclosporine, dextran sulfate, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, simvastatin), mannitol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, indomethacin), pergolide, phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), thiazide diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide), or trimethoprim because side effects, such as low blood pressure or increased potassium levels leading to heart attack, may occur


• Gold-containing medicines (eg, auranofin, sodium aurothiomalate) because flushing, nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure may occur


• Clozapine, iron salts (eg, ferrous sulfate), lithium, NSAIDs (eg, ibuprofen, indomethacin), sulfonylureas (eg, glipizide), thiazide diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide), or thiopurines (eg, azathioprine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Quinapril

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Quinapril may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Quinapril:

Use Quinapril as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Quinapril by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating, or with a light meal. High-fat meals, however, may decrease the absorption of the medicine into your bloodstream.


• If you are taking a tetracycline (eg, doxycycline) or fluoroquinolone (eg, ciprofloxacin), take it at least 3 hours apart from Quinapril. This product contains magnesium, which can interfere with absorption of these antibiotics.


• If you miss a dose of Quinapril, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Quinapril.

Important safety information:

• Quinapril may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Quinapril with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Quinapril may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.


• Quinapril may cause a serious side effect called angioedema. Contact your doctor at once if you develop swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness.


• Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.


• Quinapril has magnesium in it. Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has magnesium in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.


• Quinapril may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Quinapril. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.


• Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.


• Dehydration, excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea may lead to a fall in blood pressure. Contact your health care provider at once if any of these occur.


• Quinapril may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.


• Quinapril may not work as well in black patients. They may also be at greater risk of side effects. Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse.


• If you have high blood pressure, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Quinapril before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Diabetes patients - Quinapril may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• Lab tests, including blood pressure, blood electrolyte levels, heart function, or kidney or liver function may be performed while you use Quinapril. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Quinapril with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Quinapril should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Quinapril may cause birth defects and fetal or newborn death if you take it while you are pregnant. Do not become pregnant while you take it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Quinapril is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Quinapril, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Quinapril:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Cough; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; lightheadedness; nausea; tiredness; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); chest pain; fainting; infection (sore throat, fever); numbness of arm or leg; shortness of breath; slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat; sudden, severe headache or vomiting; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual stomach pain; unusual tiredness or weakness; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Quinapril side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include extreme dizziness; low blood pressure; weakness.

Proper storage of Quinapril:

Store Quinapril at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Protect from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Quinapril out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Quinapril, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Quinapril is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Quinapril. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Quinapril resources

• Quinapril Side Effects (in more detail)
• Quinapril Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Quinapril Drug Interactions
• Quinapril Support Group
• 4 Reviews for Quinapril - Add your own review/rating

• Quinapril Prescribing Information (FDA)


• quinapril Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Accupril Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Accupril Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Accupril Consumer Overview

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