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.
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.
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).
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 problems. Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of
liver damage, including:
- 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.
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 breastfeeding.
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.
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 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include severe
dizziness, weakness, fainting.
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.
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.
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.