Generic Tarka

It is impossible to tell when an approved generic for Tarka may become available. Although Tarka is no longer under patent, generic versions of the medication have not yet become available. It is important to know that trandolapril and verapamil ER (the active ingredients in Tarka) are not the same thing as generic Tarka -- and that companies that claim to sell "generic Tarka" may be selling products that are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous.

 

Generic for Tarka: An Overview

Tarka® (trandolapril/verapamil hydrochloride ER) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is a combination of two medicines -- trandolapril (sold under the brand Mavik®) and verapamil hydrochloride ER (sold under several brand names and as generic verapamil ER).
 
Tarka is currently sold by Abbott Laboratories. Even though the first patent for Tarka has expired, no generic versions of this medication are approved yet.
 

When Will There Be a Generic Tarka?

The first patent for Tarka expired in June 2007. Currently, there are no approved generic versions of Tarka. This may be because generic manufacturers have not yet chosen to make a generic version of Tarka, or it could be because the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any generic versions. At this time, it is impossible to know when a generic version of Tarka may become available.
 

Is Trandolapril and Verapamil ER a Generic Tarka?

No, it isn't.
 Trandolapril and verapamil ER are the active ingredients in Tarka, but they are not a generic version of Tarka. What can be confusing is that, oftentimes, the active ingredient of a drug is referred to as the "generic name." But a medicine's generic name is different than a generic version of it. In order for there to be a generic version of a medicine, the original medicine must have gone off patent and another company (besides the original manufacturer) must have made the product.
 
Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic Tarka," you may find a number of companies selling it. The fact is that these medicines may be fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. You should not buy any generic Tarka until there is an approved generic available.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;