Quinapril is in a group of drugs called ACE inhibitors. 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 other than those listed in this medication guide.

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Quinapril can be taken with or without food.

Vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating can cause you to become dehydrated. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure while you are taking quinapril. Drink 6 to 8 full glasses of water daily while you are taking this medication.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking 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 fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Store quinapril at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Before taking quinapril, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);

• tetracycline (Brodspec, Panamycin, Sumycin, Tetracap);

• a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con;

• salt substitutes that contain potassium; or

• a diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor), bumetanide (Bumex), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zarxolyn), spironolactone (Aldactone), triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide), torsemide (Demadex).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use quinapril or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect quinapril. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Quinapril can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

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.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a quinapril overdose may include feeling extremely dizzy or light-headed, or fainting.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Quinapril could cause birth defects in the baby if you take the medication during pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

Quinapril can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating can cause you to become dehydrated. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure while you are taking quinapril. Drink 6 to 8 full glasses of water daily while you are taking this medication.

Do 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).

Before using quinapril, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• 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.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use quinapril, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Quinapril could cause birth defects in the baby if you take the medication during pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

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.

Your pharmacist has information about quinapril written for health professionals that you may read.

Quinapril is available with a prescription under the brand name Accupril. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Accupril 5 mg—elliptical, brown, film-coated, scored tablet

• Accupril 10 mg—triangular, brown, film-coated tablet

• Accupril 20 mg—round, brown, film-coated tablet

• Accupril 40 mg—elliptical, brown, film-coated tablet