Drug Notes

Quinapril/hydrochlorothiazide (By mouth)

Hydrochlorothiazide (hye-droe-klor-oh-THYE-a-zide), Quinapril (KWIN-a-pril)

Treats high blood pressure. This medicine is a combination of an ACE inhibitor and a diuretic (water pill).

Brand Name(s):

Accuretic

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use this medicine together with aliskiren if you have diabetes.
• Some medicines can affect how this medicine works. Tell your doctor if you are also using any of the following:
  • Aliskiren, digoxin, lithium, temsirolimus, tetracycline, or another diuretic (water pill)
  • Diabetes medicine, a medicine to lower cholesterol, an NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen), or a steroid medicine (such as dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisone, prednisolone)
• Ask your doctor before you use any medicine, supplement, or salt substitute that contains potassium.
• Alcohol, narcotic pain relievers, or sleeping pills may cause you to feel more lightheaded, dizzy, or faint when you use them with this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart or blood vessel disease, high cholesterol, low blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, gout, or a collagen-vascular disease (such as lupus or scleroderma).
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Intestinal swelling
  • Liver or kidney problems
  • Vision problems or glaucoma
• This medicine could lower your blood pressure too much, especially when you first use it or if you are dehydrated. Sit or lie down if you feel dizzy. Stand up carefully. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, problems urinating
• Confusion, weakness, uneven heartbeat, trouble breathing, numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips
• Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
• Fever, chills, sore throat, body aches
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting
• Severe stomach pain
• Vision changes or eye pain

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Dry cough

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017