This drug belongs to a group of medications called ACE inhibitors. It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It works by relaxing blood vessels, causing them to widen. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems.This medication is also used with other drugs (e.g., "water pills"/diuretics, digoxin) to treat congestive heart failure.
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Overview | Photos | How
To Use | Side
Effects | Precautions | Missed
Dose | Drug
Interactions | |
Quinapril
Uses
This drug belongs to a group of medications called ACE inhibitors. It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It works by relaxing blood vessels, causing them to widen. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems.This medication is also used with other drugs (e.g., "water pills"/diuretics, digoxin) to treat congestive heart failure. Notes
- Do not share this medication with others.
- Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise and dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine.
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., kidney function, potassium blood level) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
- Consult your doctor for more details.Check your blood pressure regularly while taking this medication, especially when you first start this drug or when your dose is changed.
- Learn how to monitor your own blood pressure at home, and share the results with your doctor.
Storage
- Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
- Do not store in the bathroom.
- Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Overdose
- Symptoms of overdose may include: unusually fast or slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, or fainting.
How
To Use - Take this medication by mouth, usually once or twice a day; or as directed by your doctor.
- This medication is best taken on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal), or with a light meal.
- High-fat meals may decrease the absorption of the medicine into your bloodstream.This product contains magnesium which can interfere with the absorption of certain antibiotics.
- If you are taking a tetracycline antibiotic, take it at least 2 hours apart from this medicine.
- If you are taking a quinolone antibiotic (e.g., ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin), consult your pharmacist for the proper times to take it.Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it.
- Remember to use it at the same time(s) each day.Do not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first.
- This medicine can raise your potassium levels, which rarely can cause serious side effects such as muscle weakness or very slow heartbeats.
- Tell your doctor immediately if these effects occur.The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.
- For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take 1 to 2 weeks before the full benefit of this drug occurs or several weeks to months when used for congestive heart failure.It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well.
- Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.
Side
Effects - You may experience dizziness, light-headedness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, back pain, dry cough or blurred vision as your body adjusts to the medication.
- If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
- Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fainting, decreased sexual ability, chest pain.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: change in the amount of urine, signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, persistent sore throat).This drug may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver problems.
- If you notice any of the following highly unlikely but very serious side effects, seek immediate medical attention: yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, stomach/abdominal pain, persistent fatigue, persistent nausea.A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs.
- Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling (especially of the face, lips, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions
- Before taking quinapril, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other ACE inhibitors (e.g., benazepril, captopril); or if you have any other allergies (including an allergic reaction after exposure to certain membranes used for blood filtering).This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
- Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: history of an allergic reaction which included swelling of the face/lips/tongue/throat (angioedema).Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, high blood levels of potassium, heart problems, severe dehydration (and loss of electrolytes such as sodium), diabetes (poorly controlled), strokes, blood vessel disease (e.g., collagen vascular diseases such as lupus, scleroderma).This drug may make you dizzy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery.
- Limit alcoholic beverages.To minimize dizziness and light-headedness due to lowering of your blood pressure, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.
- Serious loss of body fluids can also lower your blood pressure and worsen dizziness.
- Drink adequate fluids to prevent from becoming dehydrated.
- If you are on restricted fluid intake, consult your doctor for further instructions.
- Be careful not to become too overheated during exercise which can lead to excessive sweating.
- Consult your doctor if you experience severe vomiting or diarrhea.Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness.This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy due to the risk for harm to an unborn baby.
- Consult your doctor for more details.
- (See also Warning section.)This drug passes into breast milk.
- Breast-feeding is not recommended due to the potential harm to the nursing infant.
- Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Missed
Dose - If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember.
- If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
- Do not double the dose to catch up.
Drug
Interactions - Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.
- Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.See also How To Use section.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially of: drugs that suppress the immune system (e.g., azathioprine), other heart drugs (e.g., digoxin), other high blood pressure medications, lithium, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as celecoxib, ibuprofen, indomethacin), potassium supplements (e.g., potassium chloride) or salt substitutes, quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin), tetracycline antibiotics, trimethoprim-containing medications (e.g., sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim), potassium-sparing "water pills" (diuretics such as amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene), "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide).A very serious reaction may occur if you are getting injections for bee/wasp sting allergy (desensitization) and are also taking quinapril.
- Make sure all your doctors know which medicines you are using.Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure.
- Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.
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CONDITIONS
OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute
for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information
is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions
or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular
drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional
should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or
discontinuing any course of treatment. |