Skip to main content

Quinapril

Generic name: quinapril [ KWIN-a-pril ]
Brand name: Accupril
Dosage form: oral tablet (10 mg; 20 mg; 40 mg; 5 mg)
Drug class: Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jun 21, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is quinapril?

Quinapril is used in adults alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Quinapril is also used in adults together with other medications to treat heart failure.

Quinapril may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Quinapril side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Quinapril may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

Common side effects of quinapril may include:

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.

Warnings

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using quinapril and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

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:

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:

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.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

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.

Tell your doctor if you have a planned surgery.

If you have high blood pressure, keep using quinapril even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Store tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

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 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?

Do not take potassium supplements or use salt substitutes, unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

Avoid strenuous exercise if you are being treated for heart failure. Ask your doctor about your risk.

What other drugs will affect quinapril?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

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.

Does quinapril interact with my other drugs?

Enter medications to view a detailed interaction report using our Drug Interaction Checker.

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Discover a Treatment Option

If you are affected by Hereditary Amyloidosis, help may be at hand.

Learn more