Has your doctor prescribed you a medicine called Quinapril for high blood pressure or heart disease? If so, it is very important to be a little aware of this medicine before using it. Because having a correct understanding of any medicine will help you get the most out of it and also prevent unnecessary problems. Let's see what happens with this medicine and what things you need to be careful about while taking it.
What kind of medicine is this Quinapril?
Simply put, Quinapril is a drug that belongs to a class of drugs called 'ACE inhibitors' . The main thing it does is to relax and widen your blood vessels. Just like when a water pipe is clogged, it needs more pressure to pump water, when our blood vessels become narrow, the heart has to work harder to pump blood. This is called high blood pressure.
When your blood vessels are widened with quinapril, your heart can pump blood more easily without having to work as hard. This helps control high blood pressure and reduces the workload on the heart in people with heart failure.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
Before prescribing Quinapril to you, it is important for your doctor to know your medical history. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
| Do you have these conditions? | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant | This is extremely important . This medicine can cause serious harm to the unborn baby. |
| If you are breastfeeding | The ingredients in the medicine have the potential to pass to the baby through breast milk. |
| Kidney disease | Kidney function affects the elimination of drugs from the body. |
| Liver disease | Liver function can affect the effectiveness of the drug. |
| Pre-existing swelling (Angioedema) | If you have ever had difficulty breathing due to swelling of the tongue, face, or lips. |
| Allergies to other medications, foods, or insect stings | To assess the risk of allergic reactions. |
How should I use the medicine?
- This medicine is taken by mouth. Take the dosage exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
- Taking your medicine at the same time every day helps to keep the levels of the medicine in your body consistent. It's a very good habit.
- You can take it before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset, take it with food .
- You should continue taking this until your doctor tells you to stop. Don't stop suddenly, even if you feel better.
What to do in an emergency?
Overdose: If you suspect you have taken too much medicine, do not waste time and go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
If you forget to take a dose: If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once.
This medicine is for you only. Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
Quinapril can interact with some other medications and supplements, so it's important to tell your doctor about all the medications, vitamins, and herbal remedies you're taking.
Quinapril may interact with the following in particular:
- Sacubitril; other heart disease medications such as valsartan
- Diuretics - This is why they are called "water pills"
- Lithium - a drug used to treat mental illness
- Other high blood pressure medications
- NSAIDs (e.g. Ibuprofen, Naproxen)
- Potassium supplements or salt substitutes
- Some herbal supplements
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Check your blood pressure: Get your blood pressure checked regularly. Ask your doctor what your normal blood pressure should be and how to report it if it changes.
- Pregnancy:
- Dehydration: Tell your doctor if you have excessive diarrhea, vomiting, or sweating. It can be dangerous to use this medicine when your body is very dehydrated.
- Dizziness and drowsiness: This medicine may make you feel dizzy and drowsy. Therefore, avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how this affects you. Especially if you are elderly, do not get out of bed or a chair suddenly. Doing so may cause dizziness and fall. Drinking alcohol can make this drowsiness worse, so avoid alcohol.
- Other medications: Do not buy over-the-counter cough, cold, or pain medications without consulting your doctor. Some medications can increase your blood pressure.
- Quinapril is a very important medication for high blood pressure and heart conditions.
- As the doctor says, taking the medicine at the same time every day will give you the best results.
- If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, be sure to tell your doctor before taking this medicine. This is very important.
- You may experience dizziness, dry cough, etc. However, if you experience severe allergic symptoms such as swelling of the face/tongue, or difficulty breathing, seek medical advice immediately.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking (including painkillers and vitamins). Do not use other medications without consulting your doctor.
If you are planning to become pregnant, or if you suspect you are pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. This medicine can seriously harm an unborn baby.
What side effects might I experience?
Like all medications, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions / Angioedema | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, hands or feet, difficulty swallowing or breathing. |
| Increased potassium levels in the blood | Muscle weakness, rapid or irregular heartbeat. |
| Kidney damage | Decreased urine output, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. |
| Liver damage | Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark yellow/brown urine. |
| Excessive decrease in blood pressure | Severe dizziness, fainting, blurred vision. |
| Tell your doctor if it persists or is bothersome. | |
| Dry cough | This is a common side effect of ACE inhibitors. |
| Dizziness | It can occur especially early in the medication. |
| Fatigue | This may decrease as the body adjusts to the medication. |
| Headache | Usually temporary. |
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