Can you take quinapril while breastfeeding?
What LactMed says
The National Library of Medicine’s own summary, quoted in full. We do not write a verdict of our own on this question, and we do not compress theirs into a label.
Because of the low levels of quinapril in breastmilk, amounts ingested by the infant are small and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants.
Quoted from Quinapril — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised July 15, 2026.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of quinapril. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
How much quinapril gets into breastmilk
Quinapril is an inactive drug that is metabolized to the active metabolite quinaprilat. Quinaprilat is poorly absorbed orally.
Maternal Levels. Six women who had been breastfeeding their infants for at least 2 weeks and were 4 to 9 months postpartum were given a single oral dose of 20 mg of quinapril. Quinapril milk levels were detectable at 4 hours after the dose, but undetectable (<5 mcg/L) in all samples by 6 hours after the dose. Quinalaprilat milk levels were undetectable (<5 mcg/L) at all time points. The authors estimated that a breastfed infant would receive about 1.6% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage of quinapril.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
What has been seen in breastfed infants
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take quinapril while breastfeeding?
What the NIH's Drugs and Lactation Database says about Quinapril while breastfeeding — quoted in full. The full record is quoted on this page, and the decision is one to make with the person who prescribed it — LactMed itself states it is not a substitute for professional judgement.
What can I take instead of quinapril while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Candesartan, Benazepril, Captopril, Enalapril, Lisinopril, Valsartan as alternate drugs to consider. That is the database's own list for this drug — whether any of them suits you depends on what you are treating.
Does quinapril pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for quinapril are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking quinapril?
LactMed does not frame its records that way — it reports measured drug levels in milk and what has been observed in breastfed infants, which is what this page quotes. "Pump and dump" advice for a specific drug and dose should come from your clinician or a pharmacist, not from a general rule.
More on quinapril
LactMed states that the information it presents is not a substitute for professional judgement, and that you should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. Nothing on this page is medical advice.