Quinapril

Introduction

Written by Kirstyn Hill, PharmD, MPH
Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Updated on October 12, 2023

Quinapril (KWIN a pril) is a generic medication prescribed for certain heart and blood vessel conditions, including high blood pressure and heart failure. Quinapril belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.

Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm

Quinapril oral tablet has a boxed warning about the risk of fetal harm. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for quinapril” section.

Common questions about quinapril

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about quinapril.

Is quinapril similar to lisinopril?

Yes, quinapril and lisinopril are similar. They are both angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Both drugs may be taken to treat high blood pressure and heart failure in adults. But lisinopril can also be used to treat high blood pressure in some children.

Quinapril and lisinopril also have similar side effects. Quinapril only comes as an oral tablet. Lisinopril is available as an oral tablet and an oral solution. 

For more information about how quinapril and lisinopril compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 

What brand names are available for quinapril?

There are currently no brand-name versions of prescription quinapril available. Quinapril was once available as the brand name Accupril. But all brand-name products have been discontinued.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less than brand-name drugs. For more information on brand versus generic drugs, see this article.

If you have questions about brand-name versus generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can I take quinapril with hydrochlorothiazide?

Yes, quinapril can be taken with hydrochlorothiazide, if prescribed by your doctor. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic, which helps the body remove excess fluid. It’s often prescribed with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide are also available as a combination medication product.

If you have questions about taking quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide together, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is quinapril a blood thinner?

No, quinapril is not a blood thinner. Quinapril is an ACE inhibitor used to treat high blood pressure. Quinapril does not have any effect on how thick or thin your blood is. 

If you have more questions about quinapril and blood thinners, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. 

How does quinapril work? And how long does it take to start working?

Quinapril works by blocking the ACE in your body. Enzymes are proteins that help with your body’s chemical changes. 

ACE produces another enzyme called angiotensin II. Angiotensin II tightens blood vessels, making the heart work harder and your blood pressure increase. Quinapril lessens the amount of this enzyme in your body. This makes it easier for your heart to pump blood and your blood pressure to decrease.

Quinapril starts to lower your blood pressure within an hour of taking the medication. But it may take a few weeks for the medication to take full effect. 

If you’d like to know more about how quinapril works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 

Interactions and warnings for quinapril

Below you’ll find information about quinapril’s possible interactions and warnings. 

Interactions of quinapril

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction. 

Before you take quinapril, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for quinapril” section below.

Warnings for quinapril

Some people should not take quinapril, and others should take it cautiously.

Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm

Quinapril has a boxed warning about the risk of fetal harm. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

For details, see the “Pregnancy or breastfeeding and quinapril” section below.

Other warnings

Quinapril could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether quinapril is a safe option for you. 

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for quinapril, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Quinapril can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to quinapril or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe quinapril. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems 

If you have an allergic reaction to quinapril, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of quinapril

If you take quinapril by mouth, you should not take more quinapril than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much quinapril, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and quinapril

Information about quinapril and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Quinapril and pregnancy

Quinapril should not be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with quinapril. 

Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm

Quinapril has a boxed warning about the risk of fetal harm. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

Quinapril and similar drugs may increase the chances of fetal harm and death if taken during the second and third trimester of pregnancy. If you believe you may be pregnant while taking quinapril, stop taking the drug and contact your doctor. Your doctor will likely recommend a blood pressure medication that is safe to take during pregnancy. 

To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Quinapril and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether quinapril should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Uses of quinapril

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as quinapril for certain conditions. Approved uses for quinapril are described below. 

Use for high blood pressure and heart failure

Doctors may prescribe quinapril oral tablet for treating certain heart and blood vessel conditions, such as high blood pressure and heart failure. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

Untreated heart failure and high blood pressure increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. Taking quinapril lowers your blood pressure, decreasing your risk for these conditions.

Quinapril may be used alone or with other medications for treating high blood pressure. It should be used with other medications to treat heart failure.

Side effects of quinapril

Quinapril may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of quinapril and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about quinapril’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for quinapril listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported are listed below.  

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about quinapril’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for quinapril listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Quinapril oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• headache
• dizziness
• coughing
• fatigue (low energy)
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for quinapril” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of quinapril are listed below. 

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about quinapril’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for quinapril listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number. 

In general, quinapril’s serious side effects include:

• angioedema (severe swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat)
• problems with liver function, including liver failure
• low blood pressure, which can cause dizziness or fainting
• blood cell problems, including neutropenia (low white blood cell count)
• boxed warning: risk of fetal harm*
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for quinapril” section.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about quinapril or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Am I at higher risk of side effects than others taking quinapril?
• Will I be taking quinapril alone or with other blood pressure medications?
• What drug interactions should I avoid while taking quinapril?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Quinapril tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/fb069caa-14d0-4f76-b662-6145fb4cc276/spl-doc#b0f19a0f-0ac7-47ca-a5eb-018b2f8e1958

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.