Tarka

Generic Name: trandolapril and verapamil (tran DOL a pril and ver AP a mil)
Brand Names: Tarka

What is Tarka (trandolapril and verapamil)?

Trandolapril is in a group of drugs called ACE inhibitors. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme.

Verapamil is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels.

The combination of trandolapril and verapamil is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Trandolapril and verapamil may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Tarka (trandolapril and verapamil)?

Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Trandolapril and verapamil could cause birth defects in the baby if you take the medication during pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking trandolapril and verapamil, unless your doctor has told you to.

Vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating can cause you to become dehydrated. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure while you are taking trandolapril and verapamil. Drink plenty of water each day while you are taking this medication.

Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so you may not know when your blood pressure is high. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Tarka (trandolapril and verapamil)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to trandolapril (Mavik) or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), or if you have:

certain heart conditions, especially "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker);
a heart rhythm disorder;
low blood pressure; or
if you are allergic to any other ACE inhibitor, such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), or ramipril (Altace).

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before using trandolapril and verapamil, tell your doctor if you have:

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
liver disease;
congestive heart failure;
diabetes; or
a nerve-muscle disease such as muscular dystrophy.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Trandolapril and verapamil could cause birth defects in the baby if you take the medication during pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Trandolapril and verapamil can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Tarka (trandolapril and verapamil)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Trandolapril and verapamil works best if you take it with food.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking trandolapril and verapamil. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Store trandolapril and verapamil at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling, seizure (convulsions), feeling light-headed, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking Tarka (trandolapril and verapamil)?

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking trandolapril and verapamil, unless your doctor has told you to.

Tarka (trandolapril and verapamil) side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

urinating less than usual or not at all;
swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath;
feeling like you might pass out;
chest pain, slow heart rate; or
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

cough;
headache;
runny or stuffy nose, sore throat;
constipation, diarrhea;
dizziness;
back pain;
joint pain; or
nausea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Tarka (trandolapril and verapamil)?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

a diuretic (water pill);
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);
digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
gold injections (to treat arthritis);
lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);
phenytoin (Dilantin) or carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);
rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rimactane);
theophylline (Elixophyllin, Respbid, Theo-Dur, and others);
an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin) or erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin);
heart rhythm medicine such as disopyramide (Norpace), flecainide (Tambocor), or quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release); or
a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta, Ziac), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs not listed that can affect trandolapril and verapamil. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about trandolapril and verapamil.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.