Tarka

What is it?

A combined antihypertensive and class I calcium antagonist available as pink capsules containing 180mg of sustained-release verapamil hydrochloride and 2mg of trandolapril.

Medical Uses

High blood pressure in patients whose condition is controlled by the same combination given as individula drugs.

Dosage

Adults, 1 capsule each day taken in the morning. Aiiy diuretic being taken should be stopped before treatment begins and therapy should be under specialist supervision.

Special Care

Elderly persons, patients undergoing surgery, those with volume or salt depletion, serious liver disorders, narrowing of renal arteries to kidneys on both sides, moderately impaired kidney function (monitor), slow heartbeat, disturbances of (nerve) conduction.

Avoid Use

Children, pregnancy, breastfeeding, primary aldosteronism (over-secretion of the hormone, aldosterone, from the adrenal glands), heart shock, sick sinus syndrome, certain forms of heart block, recent complicated heart attack, congestive heart failure, seriously slow heartbeat, narrowed aortic or mitral valve of heart, enlarged, damaged heart with obstruction (obstructive, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), previous angioneurotic oedema (widespread swelling due to fluid retention) including that caused by ACE inhibitor treatment, cirrhosis of liver with ascites (collection of fluid), kidney dialysis, seriously impaired kidney function.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Depressants of the heart, sympathomimetics, phenytoin, potassium-sparing diuretics and potassium supplements, cimetidine, cyclosporin, allopurinol, procainamide, rifampicin, antidiabetic drugs, cytostatics, dantrolene, muscle relaxants, antacids, quinidine, lithium, digoxin, immunosupressants, NSAIDs, carbamazepine, theophylline, anaesthetics, barbiturates, grapefruit juice.

Known Side Effects

Gastrointestinal upset, muscle pains, severe low blood pressure, cough, rash, heart block, effects on CNS, angioneurotic oedema, impaired kidney function. Any adverse side effects should be reported to the Committee on the Safety of Medicines (CSM).