Uses
This product is used to treat high blood pressure. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.
This product contains 2 medications: quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide. Quinapril belongs to a class of drugs known as ACE inhibitors and works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. Hydrochlorothiazide belongs to a class of drugs known as diuretics/"water pills." It works by causing you to make more urine. This helps your body get rid of extra salt and water.
Other Uses
This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
This drug may also be used for heart failure.
How To Use
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking quinapril/hydrochlorothiazide and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the morning. If you take this drug too close to bedtime, you may need to wake up to urinate. It is best to take this medication at least 4 hours before your bedtime.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Keep taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.
It may take several weeks before you get the full benefit of this product.
This product contains magnesium which may interfere with the absorption of some medications. See the Drug Interactions section and consult your pharmacist for more information.
If you also take certain drugs to lower your cholesterol (bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take this product at least 4 hours before or at least 4 to 6 hours after these medications.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better or if it gets worse (your blood pressure readings remain high or increase).
Side Effects
Tiredness, headache, dizziness, or lightheadedness may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. Dry cough may also occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
This product may cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of dehydration or electrolyte imbalance, including unusual dry mouth/thirst, muscle cramps/weakness, slow/fast/irregular heartbeat, or confusion.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:
- signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine)
- fainting
- decrease in vision
- eye pain
This drug may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of liver damage, such as:
- nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop
- loss of appetite
- stomach/abdominal pain
- yellowing eyes/skin
- dark urine
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat/neck)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Precautions
Before taking this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to either quinapril or hydrochlorothiazide; or to other ACE inhibitors (such as captopril, lisinopril); or to thiazides (such as chlorothiazide); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- history of an allergic reaction which included swelling of the face/lips/tongue/throat (angioedema)
- blood filtering procedures (such as LDL apheresis, dialysis)
- gout
- kidney problems
- liver disease
- dehydration
- untreated mineral imbalances (such as high or low potassium)
- lupus
- skin cancer
This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting may cause dehydration and cause you to feel lightheaded. Tell your doctor if you have severe diarrhea or vomiting. To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of fluids unless your doctor tells you not to.
This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. It may also increase your risk for skin cancer, especially if you take it for a long time. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your doctor right away if you get sunburned, have skin blisters/redness, or notice new or changed moles/skin lesions.
This product may affect your potassium levels. Before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have diabetes, this product may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially change in the amount of urine (kidney problems) and dizziness.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using this product. Quinapril may harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication. (See also Warning section.)
This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Drug Interactions
See also How to Use and Precautions sections.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug are:
- aliskiren
- dofetilide
- lithium
- gold injections
- sacubitril
- certain drugs that weaken the immune system/increase the risk of infection (such as everolimus, sirolimus)
- drugs that may increase the level of potassium in the blood (such as ARBs including losartan/valsartan, birth control pills containing drospirenone)
This product contains magnesium which can interfere with your body's ability to absorb certain drugs, especially if you take them around the same time. These drugs include quinolone antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin), tetracycline antibiotics (such as doxycycline, minocycline), thyroid medications (such as levothyroxine), and drugs for osteoporosis (bisphosphonates such as alendronate). This is not a complete list. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how long to wait between doses and when you should take your medications.
Some products have ingredients that could raise your blood pressure. Tell your pharmacist what products you are using, and ask how to use them safely (especially cough-and-cold products, diet aids, or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen/naproxen).
A very serious reaction may occur if you are getting injections for bee/wasp sting allergy (desensitization) and are also taking quinapril/hydrochlorothiazide. Make sure all your doctors know which medicines you are using.
This product may interfere with certain lab tests (such as parathyroid function), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this product.
Overdose
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Alberta residents can call PADIS (Poison and Drug Information Service) 24 hours a day at 1-800-332-1414. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include severe dizziness, weakness, fainting.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others.
Lifestyle changes that may help this medication work better include exercising, stopping smoking, and eating a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet. Consult your doctor for more details.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as sodium and potassium levels, kidney function, skin exams) should be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.
Check your blood pressure and pulse (heart rate) regularly while taking this medication. Learn how to check your own blood pressure and pulse at home, and share the results with your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
If you have questions about missing a dose or you don't have more medication, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
