Why is this drug prescribed?

Accupril tablets contain the active ingredient quinapril, which is a type of drug called an ACE inhibitor. Quinapril tablets are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic drug. ACE inhibitors work by blocking the action of a compound in the body called angiotensin converting enzyme. Normally ACE produces another compound called angiotensin II, as part of the body's natural control of blood pressure. Angiotensin II causes blood vessels to constrict and narrow, which increases the pressure within the blood vessels. As quinapril blocks the action of ACE, it reduces the production of angiotensin II. This means that the blood vessels are allowed to relax and widen. The overall effect of this is a drop in blood pressure, hence quinapril can be used to lower high blood pressure. The reduced pressure within the blood vessels means that the heart doesn't have to work as hard to pump the blood around the body. This means that ACE inhibitors such as quinapril can also be used to improve the symptoms of heart failure, where the heart is not pumping as efficiently as it should be. >

Treatments

* Heart failure * High blood pressure with no known cause.

What side effects can this drug cause?

* Headache * Dizziness * Dry cough * Inflammation of the lining of the nose * Fatigue * Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, indigestion or abdominal pain * Pain in the muscles or joints * Chest pain * Difficulty in sleeping * Pins and needles sensations * Feeling of weakness * Low blood pressure * Palpitations * Depression * Rash or itching * Blurred vision * Impotence * Alteration in taste * Increased level of potassium in the blood * Severe swelling of lips, face, tongue or throat * Disorders of the kidney, liver or blood