Tarka

If you have a heart condition, heart failure, cardiac irregularities, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, or Duchenne's dystrophy (the most common type of muscular dystrophy), make certain that your doctor knows about it. Tarka should be used with caution under these circumstances.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Tarka

If Tarka is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Tarka with the following:

• Drugs classified as "beta blockers," such as Inderal, Lopressor, and Tenormin
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
• Digoxin (Lanoxin)
• Disopyramide (Norpace)
• Diuretics such as Lasix and HydroDIURIL
• Flecainide (Tambocor)
• Lithium (Lithonate, Lithobid)
• Phenobarbital
• Potassium-sparing diuretics such as Aldactone, Midamor, Dyrenium
• Potassium supplements such as K-Lyte, K-Tabs, and Slow-K
• Quinidine (Quinidex)
• Rifampin (Rifadin)
• Theophylline (Theo-Dur)

Because Tarka can increase the potassium level in your blood, you should avoid salt substitutes that contain potassium unless your doctor approves.

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Because of its ACE-inhibitor component (trandolapril), Tarka should not be used during pregnancy. When taken during the last 6 months of pregnancy, ACE inhibitors can cause birth defects, premature birth, and death of the developing or newborn baby. If you become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.

The verapamil component of Tarka does appear in breast milk and could affect a nursing infant. Do not breastfeed while taking Tarka.

Recommended dosage for Tarka

ADULTS

Tarka comes in four strengths of trandolapril and sustained-release verapamil. Your doctor will prescribe a dose of Tarka that is comparable to the doses you were taking separately. Doses range from 1 to 4 milligrams of trandolapril and 180 to 240 milligrams of verapamil. Tarka is taken once a day with food.