Tarka

 
Generic Name: trandolapril and verapamil

Brands: Tarka

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What is the most important information I should know about Tarka?

· Do not take Tarka if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. When used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, ACE inhibitors (trandolapril) can cause injury and even death to the developing fetus. Notify your doctor immediately if you think you might be pregnant.

· Do not stop taking this medication unless your doctor approves. If you stop taking your medication, your condition could become much worse.

· Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Tarka may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Also use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position.

· Heavy sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or other causes of fluid loss may lead to very low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting during therapy with Tarka. Maintain proper fluid intake to prevent dehydration and related adverse effects.

· Do not break, crush, or chew this medication. Swallow the pills whole.

 

What is Tarka?

· Verapamil is in a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Verapamil relaxes (widens) your blood vessels (veins and arteries), which makes it easier for your heart to pump and reduces its workload.

· Trandolapril is in a class of drugs called angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors). Trandolapril prevents the constriction (narrowing) of blood vessels (veins and arteries).

· Tarka is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

· Tarka may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

 

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Tarka?

· Before taking Tarka, tell your doctor if you     ·have liver disease;     ·have kidney disease;     ·have diabetes;     ·have a collagen vascular disorder;     ·have other diseases of the heart or blood vessels such as sick sinus syndrome, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome, aortic stenosis, congestive heart failure, heart block, or low blood pressure; or     ·are taking salt substitutes, potassium supplements (e.g., K-Dur, Klor-Con), or a potassium-sparing diuretic such as amiloride (Midamor), triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide), or spironolactone (Aldactone).

· You may not be able to take Tarka, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

· Tarka is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that Tarka is known to harm an unborn baby. When used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, ACE inhibitors (trandolapril) can cause injury and even death to the developing fetus. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

· Tarka passes into breast milk and may harm a breast-feeding baby. Do not use Tarka without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

 

How should I take Tarka?

· Take Tarka exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

· Take each dose with a full glass of water.

· Do not break, crush, or chew this medication. Swallow the pills whole.

· Do not stop taking this medication unless your doctor approves. If you stop taking your medication, your condition could become much worse.

· Store Tarka at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

 

What happens if I miss a dose?

· Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

 

What happens if I overdose?

· Seek emergency medical attention.

· Symptoms of a Tarka overdose are unknown but might include extreme dizziness, weakness, fainting, fatigue chest pain, shortness of breath, an unusually fast or slow heartbeat, coma, slurred speech, and confusion.

 

What should I avoid while taking Tarka?

· Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Tarka may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Also use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position.

· Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure and increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking Tarka.

· Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking Tarka, except under the supervision of your doctor.

· Heavy sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or other causes of fluid loss may lead to very low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting during therapy with Tarka. Maintain proper fluid intake to prevent dehydration and related side effects.

· Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Tarka. The interaction could lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

 

What are the possible side effects of Tarka?

· If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Tarka and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:     ·an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);     ·jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes);     ·unusually fast or slow heartbeats;     ·difficulty breathing;     ·abnormal behavior or psychosis;     ·swelling of your legs or ankles;     ·little or no urine;     ·chest pain; or     ·severe dizziness or fainting.

· Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Tarka and talk to your doctor if you experience     ·mild dizziness or lightheadedness;     ·headache;     ·dry, tickling cough;     ·flushing (redness);     ·insomnia and vivid dreams;     ·numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, arms, or legs;     ·nausea, constipation, or diarrhea;     ·weakness or fatigue; or     ·a rash.

· Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

 

What other drugs will affect Tarka?

· Before taking Tarka, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:     ·a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con, and others;     ·a salt substitute that contains potassium;     ·any of the diuretics (water pills) triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide), spironolactone (Aldactone), and amiloride (Midamor);     ·any other diuretic (water pill), such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, others), furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), indapamide (Lozol), and others;     ·a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), acebutolol (Sectral), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), propranolol (Inderal), carvedilol (Coreg), and others;     ·digoxin, (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);     ·disopyramide (Norpace);     ·flecainide (Tambocor);     ·quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Cardioquin);     ·lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others);     ·rifampin (Rifadin, Rifabutin;     ·phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);     ·carbamazepine (Tegretol);     ·theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron, Theolair, others); or     ·cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral).

· You may not be able to take Tarka, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the drugs listed above.

· Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Tarka or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

 

Where can I get more information?

· Your pharmacist has additional information about Tarka written for health professionals that you may read.

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