Quinapril Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 23, 2024.
Applies to quinapril: oral tablet.
Important warnings
This medicine can cause some serious health issues
Oral route (tablet)
When pregnancy is detected, discontinue quinapril hydrochloride as soon as possible.
Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus.
Common side effects of quinapril
Some side effects of quinapril may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common side effects
- headache
Less common side effects
- back pain
- coughing
- difficulty with moving
- joint pain
- muscle aching or cramping
- muscle pains or stiffness
- rash
- swollen joints
Serious side effects of quinapril
Along with its needed effects, quinapril may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking quinapril:
Less common side effects
- blurred vision
- chest pain
- confusion
- diarrhea
- difficult or labored breathing
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- nausea
- stomach pain
- sweating
- tightness in the chest
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
Rare side effects
- bleeding gums
- cold, clammy skin
- enlarged pupils
- fast or slow heartbeat
- increased sensitivity of the skin or eyes to sunlight
- stiff or sore neck
For healthcare professionals
Applies to quinapril: oral tablet.
General adverse events
The most commonly reported side effects were dizziness, increased serum creatinine, increased blood urea nitrogen, cough, dyspnea, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.[Ref]
Cardiovascular
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chest pain, hypotension, palpitations, vasodilation, tachycardia, heart failure, myocardial infarction, hypertensive crisis, angina pectoris, orthostatic hypotension, cardiac rhythm disturbances, cardiogenic shock[Ref]
Renal
- Common (1% to 10%): Increased serum creatinine, increased blood urea nitrogen
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urinary tract infection, acute renal failure/dysfunction, worsening renal failure, proteinuria
- Frequency not reported: Increases in blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine[Ref]
Metabolic
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyperkalemia, hyponatremia[Ref]
Hematologic
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hemolytic anemia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia
- Frequency not reported: Neutropenia, decreased hemoglobin, decreased hematocrit[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Angioedema of the head, neck, face, extremities, lips, tongue, glottis and/or larynx, intestines; anaphylactoid reactions[Ref]
Hepatic
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal liver function tests, hepatitis
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Hepatic failure (characterized by cholestatic jaundice with progression to fulminant hepatic necrosis and sometimes death)
- Frequency not reported: Cholestatic icterus[Ref]
Nervous system
- Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Headache, cerebrovascular accident/cerebral hemorrhage, somnolence, vertigo, syncope, nervousness, paresthesia, transient ischemic attacks, tinnitus
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Balance disorder[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
- Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Flatulence, dry mouth or throat, constipation, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, pancreatitis
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Glossitis
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Ileus[Ref]
Respiratory
- Common (1% to 10%): Cough, pharyngitis, dyspnea, rhinitis
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Eosinophilic pneumonitis, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infection, bronchitis
- Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Myalgia, back pain, arthralgia
Genitourinary
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Impotence[Ref]
Psychiatric
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Depression, insomnia, confusion[Ref]
Other
- Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, asthenia
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fever, malaise, generalized/peripheral edema[Ref]
Immunologic
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Viral infection[Ref]
Dermatologic
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rash, alopecia, increased sweating, pemphigus, pruritus, exfoliative dermatitis, photosensitivity reaction, dermatopolymyositis
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Urticaria, erythema multiforme, pemphigus
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Psoriasis-like efflorescence
- Frequency not reported: Stevens Johnson syndrome, epidermal necrolysis[Ref]
Ocular
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1): Amblyopia
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Blurred vision[Ref]
References
1. (2001) "Product Information. Accupril (quinapril)." Parke-Davis
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
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Further information
Quinapril side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.