Two medicines, side by side
Quinapril vs ramipril
Quinapril and ramipril are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of quinapril since 1991 and of ramipril since 1991.
Check it at the source: the quinapril FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 14, 2023); the ramipril FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 24, 2026).
Highlights of the quinapril record
Quinapril (Accupril) · label of December 14, 2023
FETAL TOXICITY
When pregnancy is detected, discontinue quinapril tablets as soon as possible.
Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus. See WARNINGS : Fetal Toxicity
Used for
From the label: indicationsHypertension Quinapril tablets USP are indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 19, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 9 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- Not in the survey
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 7
Highlights of the ramipril record
Ramipril (Altace) · label of August 24, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue ramipril as soon as possible ( 5.6 ). Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus ( 5.6 ). WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue ramipril as soon as possible ( 5.6 ). Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus ( 5.6 ).
Used for
From the label: indicationsRamipril capsules are an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. It may be used alone or in combination with thiazide diuretics ( 1.1 ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 28, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 17 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0707 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Quinapril label of December 14, 2023, Ramipril label of August 24, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do quinapril and ramipril differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.
Half-life, in each label's words: Quinapril, “Following multiple oral dosing of quinapril, there is an effective accumulation half-life of quinaprilat of …”; Ramipril, “The initial rapid decline, which represents distribution of the drug into a large peripheral compartment and subsequent …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: quinapril since 2004; ramipril since 2005 (Drugs@FDA).
| Quinapril | Ramipril | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Heart failure | High blood pressure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease |
| Pharmacologic class | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Ramipril and ramiprilat inhibit ACE in human subjects and animals. Angiotensin converting enzyme is a peptidyl dipeptidase that catalyzes the conversion of angiotensin I to the vasoconstrictor substance, angiotensin II. |
| Half-life (label) | Following multiple oral dosing of quinapril, there is an effective accumulation half-life of quinaprilat of approximately 3 hours, and peak plasma quinaprilat concentrations are observed approximately 2 hours post-dose. | The initial rapid decline, which represents distribution of the drug into a large peripheral compartment and subsequent binding to both plasma and tissue ACE, has a half-life of 2 to 4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 19, 1991 | January 28, 1991 |
| First generic approved | December 15, 2004 | October 24, 2005 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 9 labelers | 17 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | n/a | $0.0707 per capsule (Ramipril 10 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | n/a | +1% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | In shortage | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 7 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 7,842 | 123,138 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to quinapril
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions