Generic Name: quinapril (KWIN a pril)
Brand Names: Accupril
What is quinapril?
Quinapril is an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme.
Quinapril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure.
Quinapril may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about quinapril?
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use quinapril if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can further lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of quinapril. Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking quinapril, unless your doctor has told you to. Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking this medication, which can lead to severely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance. Tell your doctor if you have a prolonged illness that causes diarrhea or vomiting. If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking quinapril?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to quinapril or to any other ACE inhibitor, such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik).
To make sure you can safely take quinapril, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
liver disease;
heart disease or congestive heart failure;
diabetes; or
a connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use quinapril if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Quinapril can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control while taking quinapril. Quinapril can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take quinapril?
Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.
Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking this medication, which can lead to severely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance. Tell your doctor if you have a prolonged illness that causes diarrhea or vomiting. Drink plenty of water while you are taking quinapril.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your kidney or liver function will need to be checked with blood tests. Visit your doctor regularly.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using quinapril. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time. If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life. Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
See also: Quinapril dosage (in more detail)
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include extreme dizziness or fainting.
What should I avoid while taking quinapril?
Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking quinapril, unless your doctor has told you to. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can further lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of quinapril. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Quinapril side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
feeling like you might pass out;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;
high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling);
chest pain;
urinating more or less than usual, or not at all;
swelling, rapid weight gain; or
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
headache;
cough;
muscle pain, back pain;
dizziness, tired feeling;
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach discomfort; or
mild skin itching or rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Quinapril Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Congestive Heart Failure:
Initial dose: 5 mg orally twice a day.
Maintenance dose: 10-20 mg orally twice a day.
Usual Adult Dose for Diabetic Nephropathy:
Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day in patients not on diuretics.
Maintenance dose: 20-80 mg/day orally, given in 1-2 divided doses.
Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:
Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day in patients not on diuretics.
Maintenance dose: 20-80 mg/day orally, given in 1-2 divided doses.
Usual Adult Dose for Left Ventricular Dysfunction:
Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day in patients not on diuretics.
Maintenance dose: 20-80 mg/day orally, given in 1-2 divided doses.
What other drugs will affect quinapril?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
gold injections to treat arthritis;
lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);
tetracycline (Ala-Tet, Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap);
a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con;
salt substitutes that contain potassium;
a diuretic (water pill); or
aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), and others.
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with quinapril. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More quinapril resources
- Quinapril Side Effects (in more detail)
- Quinapril Dosage
- Quinapril Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Quinapril Drug Interactions
- Quinapril Support Group
- 4 Reviews for Quinapril - Add your own review/rating
- quinapril Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Quinapril MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Quinapril Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Accupril Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Accupril Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Accupril Consumer Overview
Compare quinapril with other medications
- Diabetic Kidney Disease
- Heart Failure
- High Blood Pressure
- Left Ventricular Dysfunction
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about quinapril.
See also: quinapril side effects (in more detail)
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