Quinapril And Hydrochlorothiazide
Pronunciation: (KWIN-uh-pril plus hye-droe-klor-oh-THYE-a-zide).
- Generic name
- quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide
- Brand names
- Qutrin-H, Accuretic, Qutan Plus, Quinaplus
- Drug class
- Cardio-Metabolic
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country:
Australia: · Full directory
What quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide is and how it works
Uses, formulations, monitoring, and supply rules can differ by patient, product, and country. Follow the exact local product information and professional advice.
Mechanism of action: how quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide works
Quinapril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that blocks the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. This leads to vasodilation, reduced aldosterone secretion, and decreased blood pressure. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic that inhibits sodium reabsorption in the distal tubules, promoting excretion of sodium and water, reducing plasma volume, and lowering blood pressure. The combination provides additive antihypertensive effects. (2) (3)
What quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide is used for
Hypertension
Before taking quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to ACE inhibitors, thiazides, or sulfonamide-derived drugs. (Contraindication) (2)
- history of angioedema. (Contraindication) (2)
- severe renal impairment. (Contraindication) (2)
Tell your clinician about
(2) (3)How to take quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide
- General Instructions: Take exactly as prescribed, usually once daily. Try to take it at the same time each day.. Adult Dosing: Typical starting dose: 10 mg quinapril/12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide once daily. Dosage may be adjusted based on blood pressure response. Maximum: 20 mg quinapril/25 mg hydrochlorothiazide once daily.. Pediatric Dosing: Not recommended for children under 18 years due to limited safety and efficacy data.. Administration: Swallow the tablet whole with water. Can be taken with or without food.. When To Stop: Do not stop taking without consulting your doctor, even if you feel well. Stopping suddenly may worsen your condition.. Storage: Store at room temperature (20–25°C/68–77°F), away from moisture and heat. Keep out of reach of children.
- This page does not provide a dose calculator. Dosing must follow the prescriber, pharmacist, or product label.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (2) (3)
Missed dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double up to make up for a missed dose.
Overdose
Symptoms of overdose may include severe dizziness, fainting, dehydration, or electrolyte imbalance. Seek emergency medical attention or call your local poison control center immediately. (2) (3)
Side effects
Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms to a healthcare professional.
Dizziness
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Headache
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Fatigue
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Cough
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Nausea
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Diarrhea
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Hypotension
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Angioedema
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Serious warnings
FDA BOXED WARNING — Fetal Toxicity — serious
Symptoms: FDA BOXED WARNING — Fetal Toxicity: when pregnancy is detected, quinapril/hydrochlorothiazide should be discontinued as soon as possible (under a clinician's direction). Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus. Use during the second and third trimesters reduces fetal renal function and increases fetal and neonatal illness and death; the resulting oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid) can be associated with fetal lung underdevelopment and skeletal deformities, and potential newborn effects include skull underdevelopment, absent urine output, low blood pressure, kidney failure, and death.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2) (3)
May cause severe allergic reactions (angioedema) — serious
Symptoms: May cause severe allergic reactions (angioedema). Can cause low blood pressure, especially after the first dose. Risk of kidney problems, especially in those with pre-existing kidney disease. May increase potassium or decrease sodium levels. Not recommended during pregnancy; may harm unborn baby (see FDA boxed warning above).
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2) (3)
Contraindications recorded in the clinician database — serious
Symptoms: Contraindications recorded in the clinician database: Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to ACE inhibitors, thiazides, or sulfonamide-derived drugs; history of angioedema; anuria; severe renal impairment; and pregnancy. Use with caution in patients with renal artery stenosis, electrolyte imbalances, gout, diabetes, liver disease, or systemic lupus erythematosus. Monitor for hypotension, especially in volume-depleted patients.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2) (3)
Rare hepatic failure — serious
Symptoms: Rare hepatic failure: rarely, ACE inhibitors such as quinapril have been associated with a syndrome that starts with cholestatic jaundice (yellowing of the skin/eyes) and can progress to fulminant liver failure and, sometimes, death; the mechanism is not understood. Patients who develop jaundice or marked elevations of liver enzymes while taking this medicine should be assessed by their clinician promptly, who will decide whether to discontinue it.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2) (3)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Recorded interactions | Quinapril + Hydrochlorothiazide may interact with other blood pressure medicines, lithium, NSAIDs, diabetes medications, potassium-sparing diuretics, and certain supplements. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medicines and supplements you are taking. | (1) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pregnancy
FDA BOXED WARNING (fetal toxicity): drugs that act on the renin-angiotensin system, including quinapril, can injure or cause death to a developing fetus, especially when used during the second or third trimester. If you become pregnant, or think you might be pregnant, contact your doctor right away — they will advise on promptly switching to a different blood pressure medicine considered safer in pregnancy. Do not become pregnant without discussing your blood pressure treatment with your doctor first. (2) (3)
Breastfeeding
Both quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide pass into human breast milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a nursing infant from hydrochlorothiazide, and the unknown effects of quinapril in infants, your doctor will need to decide together with you whether to continue breastfeeding or continue this medicine, weighing how important the medicine is for your health. (2) (3)
Children
Frequency: Not applicable.. Weight Based: Not recommended for pediatric use.. Max Daily Dose: Not applicable.. Max Single Dose: Not applicable.. Age Restrictions: Safety not established in children. Neonates with a history of in-utero exposure to this medicine should be closely observed for low urine output or low blood pressure; the FDA label notes that exchange transfusion or dialysis may rarely be required to reverse hypotension and/or replace disrupted kidney function. (2) (3)
Renal_impairment
Renal: dosing need not account for kidney function as long as creatinine clearance is above 30 mL/min/1.73m2 (serum creatinine roughly 3 mg/dL or below); in more severe renal impairment, a loop diuretic is generally preferred over a thiazide, so this combination is not recommended for those patients. Hepatic: use with caution in impaired hepatic function or progressive liver disease, since minor shifts in fluid/electrolyte balance can trigger hepatic coma, and because quinapril's conversion to its active form depends on liver enzymes, impaired liver function could raise quinapril blood levels; formal pharmacokinetic studies in hypertensive patients with impaired liver function have not been done. Rarely, ACE inhibitors have been linked to a serious liver-failure syndrome (see serious warnings). (2) (3)
Hepatic_impairment
Renal: dosing need not account for kidney function as long as creatinine clearance is above 30 mL/min/1.73m2 (serum creatinine roughly 3 mg/dL or below); in more severe renal impairment, a loop diuretic is generally preferred over a thiazide, so this combination is not recommended for those patients. Hepatic: use with caution in impaired hepatic function or progressive liver disease, since minor shifts in fluid/electrolyte balance can trigger hepatic coma, and because quinapril's conversion to its active form depends on liver enzymes, impaired liver function could raise quinapril blood levels; formal pharmacokinetic studies in hypertensive patients with impaired liver function have not been done. Rarely, ACE inhibitors have been linked to a serious liver-failure syndrome (see serious warnings). (2) (3)
Monitoring
(2) (3)Storage
Dispense in a tight container as defined in the USP. Store at Controlled Room Temperature, 20-25°C (68-77°F). Keep out of reach of children.
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. This section does not replace current product labeling.
General
Indication: Hypertension
Dose summary: Initial dose is typically 10 mg/12.5 mg once daily. Maintenance dose may range from 20 mg/12.5 mg to 40 mg/25 mg once daily based on blood pressure response.
Renal context: The FDA label states that dosing regimens need not take renal function into account as long as creatinine clearance is greater than 30 mL/min/1.73m2 (serum creatinine roughly 3 mg/dL or below). In patients with more severe renal impairment, loop diuretics are preferred to thiazides, so this fixed-dose combination is not recommended for use in those patients. (2) (3)
Hepatic guidance
The FDA label advises using this combination with caution in patients with impaired hepatic function or progressive liver disease, since minor fluid/electrolyte shifts can precipitate hepatic coma; because quinapril's conversion to its active metabolite (quinaprilat) depends on hepatic esterases, impaired liver function could raise quinapril plasma levels. No formal pharmacokinetic dose-adjustment studies have been done in hypertensive patients with impaired liver function. Rarely, ACE inhibitors have been associated with a serious hepatic-failure syndrome (see serious warnings).
Frequently asked questions
What is Quinapril + Hydrochlorothiazide used for?
It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) when one medicine alone is not effective.
How long does it take to work?
Blood pressure usually begins to lower within 1–2 hours, with full effect in 2–4 weeks.
Can I take this medication if I am pregnant?
No. Quinapril + Hydrochlorothiazide should not be used during pregnancy as it may harm the unborn baby.
What should I do if I feel dizzy after taking it?
Sit or lie down until the dizziness passes. If it persists or is severe, contact your doctor.
Can I drink alcohol while taking this medicine?
Alcohol can increase the risk of side effects like dizziness or fainting. Limit or avoid alcohol while taking this medication.
Do I need regular blood tests while on this medicine?
Yes. Your doctor may order blood tests to monitor kidney function and electrolyte levels.
Is it safe to use with other blood pressure medications?
It may be combined with other antihypertensives, but always under medical supervision due to risk of low blood pressure or electrolyte disturbances.
What happens if I take too much Quinapril + Hydrochlorothiazide?
Taking too much Quinapril + Hydrochlorothiazide can lead to severe hypotension, electrolyte imbalances, and kidney dysfunction. Symptoms may include extreme dizziness, fainting, and confusion. If an overdose is suspected, seek immediate emergency medical attention. Do not attempt to self-treat or induce vomiting.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Quinapril + Hydrochlorothiazide?
It is generally advised to limit or avoid alcohol consumption while taking Quinapril + Hydrochlorothiazide. Alcohol can exacerbate the blood pressure-lowering effects of the medication, leading to increased dizziness, lightheadedness, and a higher risk of fainting. It can also worsen some side effects of the medication.
Is Quinapril + Hydrochlorothiazide safe during pregnancy?
Quinapril + Hydrochlorothiazide is generally not recommended during pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters, due to potential risks to the developing fetus. It is classified as Pregnancy Category D. Always consult your healthcare provider immediately if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, to discuss alternative treatment options.
What is the mechanism of action of quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide?
Quinapril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that blocks the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. This leads to vasodilation, reduced aldosterone secretion, and decreased blood pressure. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic that inhibits sodium reabsorption in the distal tubules, promoting excretion of sodium and water, reducing plasma volume, and lowering blood pressure. The combination provides additive antihypertensive effects. (2) (3)
What is the generic name of Quinapril And Hydrochlorothiazide?
The generic name is quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide. It is sold under brand names including Qutrin-H, Accuretic, Qutan Plus, Quinaplus.
What class of drug is quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide?
Quinapril And Hydrochlorothiazide is classed as: Cardio-Metabolic.
References
- Clinician-authored medicine record for Quinapril + HydrochlorothiazideMedGuideGlobal · Global (internal) · accessed 2026-08-07 · source 1
- Quinapril and Hydrochlorothiazide tablets — FDA-approved prescribing informationU.S. FDA (via DailyMed) · United States · accessed 2026-08-03 · source 2
- Quinapril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide tablets — FDA-approved prescribing information (Lupin)U.S. FDA (via DailyMed) · United States · accessed 2026-08-07 · source 3
- Quinapril and Hydrochlorothiazide 10/12.5 — FDA approval record (Drugs@FDA ANDA201356)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 4
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.