Tarka

Tarka is a prescription drug licensed to control high blood pressure in adults. The medication causes blood vessels to relax, which lowers blood pressure and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood. Although it cannot cure high blood pressure, the drug can help decrease the health risks that can occur with long-term high blood pressure, including a heart attack or stroke. Tarka comes in a tablet form that is taken once daily. As with any medication, there are potential side effects, including a headache, cough, and constipation.

Tarka Medicine

What Is Tarka?

Tarka^® (trandolapril/verapamil hydrochloride ER) is a prescription medicine that has been licensed for controlling high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults. It is not a cure for high blood pressure.

Tarka has not been approved for use in children.

(Click Tarka Uses for more information on what Tarka is used for, including possible off-label uses.)

Who Makes Tarka?

The medication is manufactured by Abbott Laboratories.

How Does It Work?

Tarka is a combination of two medicines -- trandolapril (sold under the brand

Mavik^®) and verapamil ER (sold under several brands and as a generic). Mavik is part of a class of drugs called angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or ACE inhibitors for short. Mavik helps to block the angiotensin-converting enzyme, which is normally part of a reaction in the body that causes the blood vessels to narrow (constrict). By blocking this enzyme, Mavik causes blood vessels to relax.

Verapamil ER is part of a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It is a slow release version of verapamil (the ER stands for extended release). Verapamil ER helps to slow down the rate at which calcium moves into the walls of your blood vessels. This, in turn, helps to relax the vessels, causing a decrease in blood pressure. It also makes it easier for the heart to pump blood.

Because of the effects of both Mavik and verapamil ER, Tarka causes a greater drop in blood pressure than when either medicine is used alone.

(Tarka Continued: Page 2)