Prescription medication · ACE Inhibitor
quinapril
Also sold as Accupril. Quinapril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 6,775
- FDA reportsLightly reported
- 1
- InteractionFew interactions
- In shortage
- FDA status
What the data shows
quinapril (Accupril) is a prescription ACE Inhibitor, reported less often than most tracked drugs (6,775 FDA reports), with 1 documented drug interaction.
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
quinapril (Accupril) is a prescription ACE Inhibitor. Quinapril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Quinapril is a medicine that lowers blood pressure. It can also help manage heart failure when used with other treatments.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
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.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from quinapril's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
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.
This is a plain-language summary of quinapril's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
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.
This is a plain-language summary of quinapril's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
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.
This is a plain-language summary of quinapril's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
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 6,775 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for quinapril, by number of reports
- Falling down
Falling down
420 reports
- Feeling sick to your stomach
Feeling sick to your stomach
407 reports
- Difficulty breathing
Difficulty breathing
405 reports
- Aches and pains
Aches and pains
386 reports
- Loose stool
Loose stool
350 reports
- Feeling tired
Feeling tired
346 reports
- Low blood pressure
Low blood pressure
293 reports
- Difficulty pooping
Difficulty pooping
284 reports
- Feeling lightheaded
Feeling lightheaded
264 reports
- Weakness
Weakness
252 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for quinapril each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where quinapril sits
quinapril has more FDA adverse-event reports than 30% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is quinapril; the line is the median (50th percentile).
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
Reports Mentioning Death
545
8.0% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
2,126
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 18 | RECALLED PRODUCT ADMINISTERED | 203 |
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.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
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 →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
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Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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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 6,775 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.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
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