Generic name: quinapril (KWIN a pril)
Brand name: Accupril
Dosage forms: oral tablet (10 mg; 20 mg; 40 mg; 5 mg)
Drug class: Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
Quinapril is an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme.
Quinapril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.
Quinapril is also used together with other medications to treat heart failure.
Quinapril may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking quinapril and tell your doctor right away.
You should not use quinapril if you have ever had angioedema. Do not take quinapril within 36 hours before or after taking medicine that contains sacubitril (such as Entresto).
If you have diabetes, do not use quinapril together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).
Before taking this medicine
You should not use quinapril if you are allergic to it, or if:
- you have a history of angioedema;
- you recently took a heart medicine called sacubitril; or
- if you are allergic to any other ACE inhibitor, such as benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, ramipril, or trandolapril.
Do not take quinapril within 36 hours before or after taking medicine that contains sacubitril (such as Entresto).
If you have diabetes, do not use quinapril together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).
You may also need to avoid taking quinapril with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
- liver disease;
- a connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis;
- heart disease or congestive heart failure (unless you are taking quinapril for this condition); or
- if you are on a low-salt diet.
Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using the medicine 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.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
Quinapril is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take quinapril?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested.
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 quinapril. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure.
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 quinapril even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking quinapril?
Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of quinapril.
Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking quinapril, unless your doctor has told you to.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.
Quinapril side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have 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 light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest;
- little or no urination;
- pain or burning when you urinate;
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
- numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet;
- fever, chills, cold or flu symptoms;
- high potassium--nausea, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement; or
- low sodium--headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady.
Common side effects may include:
- headache;
- cough; or
- dizziness, tired feeling.
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 Hypertension:
Initial dose: 10 or 20 mg orally once a day in patients not on diuretics
Maintenance dose: 20 to 80 mg orally per day, administered as a single dose or in two equally divided doses
Use:
-Treatment of hypertension
Usual Adult Dose for Congestive Heart Failure:
Initial dose: 5 mg orally twice a day
Maintenance dose: 20 to 40 mg orally per day administered in two equally divided doses
Comments:
-This dose may improve symptoms of heart failure, but increases in exercise duration have generally required higher doses.
-If the initial dosage is well tolerated, patients should then be titrated at weekly intervals until an effective dose.
Use:
-Management of heart failure as adjunctive therapy when added to conventional therapy including diuretics and/or digitalis
Usual Geriatric Dose for Congestive Heart Failure:
10 mg orally once a day
Comments: Dose should be titrated the same way as for other adult patients.
Uses:
-Treatment of hypertension
-Management of heart failure as adjunctive therapy when added to conventional therapy including diuretics and/or digitalis
Usual Geriatric Dose for Hypertension:
10 mg orally once a day
Comments: Dose should be titrated the same way as for other adult patients.
Uses:
-Treatment of hypertension
-Management of heart failure as adjunctive therapy when added to conventional therapy including diuretics and/or digitalis
What other drugs will affect quinapril?
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:
- lithium;
- a diuretic or "water pill";
- gold injections to treat arthritis; or
- NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect quinapril, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.