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.