Heart Health Heart Failure Accupril (Quinapril) Side Effects By Cory Martin Cory Martin Facebook LinkedIn Cory Martin is the author of seven books including "Love Sick" a memoir about dating, life in Hollywood and dealing with MS. Her essays have appeared online with CNN, HuffPost, Everyday Health, Psychology Today, Folks, The Mighty, and more. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 24, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Richard N. Fogoros, MD Medically reviewed by Richard N. Fogoros, MD Facebook LinkedIn Richard N. Fogoros, MD, is a retired professor of medicine and board-certified internal medicine physician and cardiologist. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Common Side Effects Severe Side Effects Symptoms of Overdose If you’ve been prescribed Accupril (quinapril), you'll want to be aware of any side effects associated with this medication. Most are mild and short-lived, but by knowing about them you can better monitor your health while taking Accupril. Accupril is in a class of medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors that work by widening blood vessels to allow for the free flow of blood. They are prescribed alone or in combination with other drugs to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) or heart failure. Verywell / Katie Kerpel ACE Inhibitors: Blood Pressure Control in Diabetes Common Side Effects Accupril is safe for most people to take and rarely causes serious or lasting side effects. Lightheadedness is common during the first few days of taking this drug; if it continues or progresses to syncope (fainting), stop taking the medication and alert your healthcare provider. Take note of the following common side effects of Accupril so you're likely to recognize them. If you experience any that become severe or persistent, call your healthcare provider: HeadacheDizzinessExcessive fatigueCoughUpset stomachNausea/vomitingAbdominal painChest painLow blood pressureMuscle painDiarrheaBack painRash Inadequate fluid intake, excessive perspiration, diarrhea, or vomiting can cause an excessive drop in blood pressure which can cause symptoms like lightheadedness and fainting. Be sure to keep your fluid intake high and to watch if other symptoms are causing you to lose too much fluid. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns. Severe Side Effects Although uncommon, certain side effects of Accupril can be severe. Among the most concerning are signs of an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). If while taking Accupril you experience any of the following, get medical help right away: Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legsHoarsenessDifficulty breathing or swallowingYellowing of skin or eyesFever, sore throat, chills, and other signs of infectionChest painLightheadednessFainting Pregnancy Warning Accupril can seriously harm a developing fetus. If you're pregnant, you should not take this drug, as it could cause harm to your unborn baby. Symptoms of Overdose An overdose of Accupril can cause blood pressure to drop to a dangerously low level—a condition known as severe hypotension. If you have taken more than your prescribed dose of Accupril or have accidentally taken a double dose of the drug, you may experience symptoms of hypotension, including but not limited to: LightheadednessFaintingBlurred visionRapid breathingExtreme thirstCool, clammy skin Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure A Word From Verywell Your healthcare provider has prescribed Accupril for you because they believe the benefits far outweigh the potential side effects. If you're nervous about taking Accupril, keep this mind. Also be aware that your healthcare provider likely will start you on a low dose of Accupril and gradually increase it in order to avoid side effects. Even so, it's helpful to know what these might be so you have some control over monitoring your own reactions to the drug and can feel comfortable alerting your healthcare provider. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Did you know the most common forms of heart disease are largely preventable? Our guide will show you what puts you at risk, and how to take control of your heart health. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 0 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Accessdata.fda.gov. Accupril. MedlinePlus. Quinapril.