quinapril
Brand names: Accupril
Quinapril is a medicine that lowers blood pressure. It can also help manage heart failure when used with other treatments.
Drug Shortage Alert
quinapril is currently listed as in shortage by the FDA. Affected manufacturer: Solco Healthcare US, LLC. Status: Unavailable.
View all drug shortages →Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.10/unit
Generic Available
Yes (8 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective January 18, 2023. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Quinapril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Common side effects
Headache, Dizziness, Fatigue
Key warnings
You should not take quinapril if you are allergic to it or any other ACE inhibitor.
How It Works
Quinapril belongs to a class of drugs called ACE inhibitors. It works by blocking a substance in your body that tightens blood vessels. This helps your blood vessels relax and widens them, which lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump.
How to Take It
If you are not taking a diuretic, the usual starting dose for high blood pressure is 10 or 20 mg once a day. Your doctor may change your dose every 2 weeks based on your blood pressure. Most people need 20, 40, or 80 mg per day, taken as one dose or two equal doses. If you have kidney problems, your doctor will adjust your dose.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Quinapril can harm your unborn baby, especially if you take it during the second or third trimester. It is not known if quinapril passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor before breastfeeding.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store quinapril tablets at room temperature (68°F to 77°F) in a closed container, away from light.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 3,620 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 6,775 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
6,775
Death-Related Reports
545
Hospitalization Reports
2,126
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 465 |
| 2 | FALL | 420 |
| 3 | NAUSEA | 407 |
| 4 | DYSPNOEA | 404 |
| 5 | PAIN | 385 |
| 6 | DIARRHOEA | 350 |
| 7 | FATIGUE | 345 |
| 8 | HYPOTENSION | 293 |
| 9 | CONSTIPATION | 284 |
| 10 | DIZZINESS | 264 |
| 11 | ASTHENIA | 252 |
| 12 | MALAISE | 217 |
| 13 | VOMITING | 217 |
| 14 | BALANCE DISORDER | 216 |
| 15 | HEADACHE | 215 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
You should not take quinapril if you are allergic to it or any other ACE inhibitor. You should not take quinapril if you have a history of angioedema (swelling) related to ACE inhibitors. Do not take quinapril with a neprilysin inhibitor like sacubitril. If you have diabetes, do not take quinapril with aliskiren.
Known Drug Interactions
Monitor renal function periodically in patients receiving quinapril and NSAID therapy.
Mechanism: Both of these drugs belong to the same class, and using them together can put extra stress on your kidneys.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your kidney function and potassium levels closely if these are used together.
Common Questions
Can I take quinapril with other medications?
How long does it take for quinapril to start working?
Can I stop taking quinapril if I feel better?
What should I avoid while taking quinapril?
Does quinapril have any effect on kidney function?
Can quinapril cause a cough?
What are the symptoms of angioedema?
Can I take quinapril if I have diabetes?
How often will my blood pressure be checked?
What should I do if I have side effects?
What are the common side effects of quinapril?
Does quinapril interact with other medications?
What drug class is quinapril?
Is quinapril safe during pregnancy?
Is quinapril currently in shortage?
Related Medications in ACE Inhibitor
Other drugs grouped near quinapril — same-class peers and common alternatives.
acebutolol
Sectral
Acebutolol is a medicine that helps lower blood pressure and control irregular heartbeats.
Compare with quinapril →
aliskiren
Tekturna
Tekturna is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure.
Compare with quinapril →
amiloride
Midamor
Amiloride is a water pill that helps your body hold onto potassium.
Compare with quinapril →
amlodipine
Norvasc
Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a drug that lowers blood pressure and treats chest pain.
Compare with quinapril →
amlodipine/benazepril
Lotrel
Lotrel is a combination medicine that contains amlodipine and benazepril.
Compare with quinapril →
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What the FDA Data Shows for quinapril
The FDA label for quinapril (sold under brand names such as Accupril) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the ACE Inhibitor class. Quinapril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Official labeling lists 6 commonly reported side effects, including Headache, Dizziness, Fatigue.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 3,620 voluntary reports. The database also lists 1 documented drug interaction derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.10.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC). Shortage status: FDA Drug Shortages Database.
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: November 1, 2022
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages