Tarka

Tarka is used for:

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Treating high blood pressure.

Tarka is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and calcium channel blocker combination. It works by helping to relax blood vessels. This helps to lower blood pressure.

Do NOT use Tarka if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Tarka or to other ACE inhibitors (eg, lisinopril)
• you have a history of angioedema (swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or unusual hoarseness), including angioedema caused by treatment with an ACE inhibitor
• you are in your second or third trimester of pregnancy
• you have very low blood pressure, moderate to severe congestive heart failure, an irregular heartbeat, or any other heart problems
• you are taking dofetilide, eletriptan, erythromycin, everolimus, or disopyramide

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Tarka :

Some medical conditions may interact with Tarka . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you are able to become pregnant
• if you have a history of heart problems (eg, aortic stenosis, heart failure), blood vessel problems, blood flow problems, bone marrow problems, kidney or liver problems, nervous system problems, diabetes, muscular dystrophy, or fluid in the lungs
• if you have a history of stroke, recent heart attack, or kidney transplant
• if you have an autoimmune disease (eg, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma)
• if you are dehydrated or have low blood volume or blood pressure
• if you have high potassium levels, low blood sodium levels, or are on a low-salt (sodium) diet
• if you are receiving treatments to reduce sensitivity to bee or wasp stings
• if you are having dialysis or apheresis, or are scheduled to have major surgery

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Tarka . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Cephalosporin antibiotics (eg, cephalexin), clindamycin, ketolide antibiotics (eg, telithromycin), lincomycin, or macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin) because the actions and side effects of Tarka , some potentially life-threatening, may be increased
• Diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) or quinazolines (eg, prazosin) because the risk of low blood pressure may be decreased
• Aldosterone blockers (eg, eplerenone), potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone), or potassium supplements because the risk of high blood potassium levels may be increased
• Angiotensin receptor blockers (eg, losartan) or trimethoprim because the risk of kidney problems may be increased
• Insulin, sulfonylureas (eg, glipizide), or other oral diabetes medicines (eg, metformin) because the risk of low blood sugar may be increased
• Certain gold-containing medicines (eg, sodium aurothiomalate) because flushing, low blood pressure, nausea, and vomiting may occur
• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, indomethacin), rifampin, salicylates (eg, aspirin), or St. John's wort because they may decrease Tarka 's effectiveness
• Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), carbamazepine, colchicine, cyclosporine, digoxin, disopyramide, dofetilide, eletriptan, erythromycin, everolimus, flecainide, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, simvastatin), indomethacin, lithium, narcotic pain medicines (eg, fentanyl), nondepolarizing muscle relaxants (eg, tubocurarine), quinidine, ranolazine, theophyllines (eg, aminophylline), or thiopurines (eg, azathioprine) because their actions and the risk of their side effects, some potentially life-threatening, may be increased by Tarka

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Tarka may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Tarka :

Use Tarka as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Tarka by mouth with food.
• Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice may affect the amount of Tarka in your blood. Talk with your doctor before including grapefruit or grapefruit juice in your diet.
• Use Tarka on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking Tarka at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
• Continue to use Tarka even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Tarka , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Tarka .

Important safety information:

• Tarka may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Tarka with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Tarka ; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Tarka may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects. If lightheadedness occurs, especially during the first few days of treatment, contact your health care provider.
• Tarka may cause a serious side effect called angioedema. Contact your doctor at once if you develop swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or unusual hoarseness.
• Tarka may not work as well in black patients. They may also be at greater risk of side effects. Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse.
• Dehydration, excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Contact your health care provider at once if any of these occur.
• Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Tarka before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
• If you have high blood pressure, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Diabetes patients - Tarka may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, complete blood cell counts, and blood pressure, may be performed while you use Tarka . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Tarka should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Tarka may cause birth defects or fetal death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Tarka is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Tarka .

Possible side effects of Tarka :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dizziness; lightheadedness when sitting up or standing; nausea; persistent, dry cough; tiredness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); chest pain; dark urine; decreased urination; difficulty swallowing; muscle pain or cramping; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; shortness of breath; slurred speech; stomach pain (with or without nausea or vomiting); swelling of the hands or feet; symptoms of infection (eg, fever, chills, persistent sore throat); symptoms of low blood pressure (eg, fainting, severe dizziness or lightheadedness); unusually fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; severe dizziness or lightheadedness; weakness.

Store Tarka at room temperature, between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Tarka out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Tarka , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Tarka is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Tarka . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

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