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trandolapril / verapamil

Generic Tarka
Used for Hypertension
Used for Hypertension

Trandolapril/verapamil is a combination medication that treats high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults. It contains two types of blood pressure medications in one tablet: an ACE inhibitor called trandolapril and a calcium channel blocker called verapamil. This combination medication works by relaxing the blood vessels in the body. It's taken by mouth, typically once daily. Side effects can include headaches, cough, and rarely high prolactin levels (hyperprolactinemia). The brand name for this combination medication, Tarka, has been discontinued. But the generic version is still available.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Ally Tsai, PharmD
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on February 12, 2025
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Trandolapril/verapamil?

What is Trandolapril/verapamil used for?

  • High blood pressure

How Trandolapril/verapamil works

Trandolapril/verapamil is a combination of two blood pressure medications.

  • Trandolapril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It blocks the body from making a hormone that usually makes your blood vessels tighter called angiotensin II. This helps your blood vessels relax and causes your blood pressure to go down.

  • Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker. It works by controlling how much calcium comes into your heart and blood vessels. Calcium helps your heart and blood vessels move blood and oxygen through your body. Verapamil blocks calcium from coming into your heart and blood vessels. This helps relax your blood vessels and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood, which lowers your blood pressure.

Are you looking for information on trandolapril or verapamil (Calan) instead?
When does Trandolapril/verapamil start working?
Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Initial effect
Full effect

Drug Facts

Common BrandsTarka (brand name no longer available)
Drug ClassACE inhibitor / CCB
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Trandolapril/verapamil?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Other Side Effects

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Shortness of breath
  • Stuffy nose
  • Bronchitis
  • Swelling
  • Pain in the arm or leg
  • Back pain
  • Joint pain
  • High prolactin levels (changes in menstrual bleeding patterns, enlarged breasts in males, milky discharge from the breast in females)

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Angioedema (severe swelling): swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; swelling in the arm or leg; swelling in the stomach (nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea)
  • Serious heart problem: trouble breathing, tiredness, dizziness, swelling in your body, sudden weight gain, chest pain, slow heart rate
  • Very low blood pressure: dizziness, lightheadedness, pale skin, feeling faint
  • Liver problems: swelling of your stomach, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, dark or brown urine, confusion
  • Kidney problems: urinating less often than usual; swelling in your feet, ankles, or hands; unexplained weight gain
  • High potassium levels: nausea, muscle weakness, abnormal heartbeat
  • Severe allergic reaction: swelling of your lips, tongue, throat, or face; trouble breathing; rash

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

Chest pain

chills

cough (with mucus)

dark urine

fever

general feeling of discomfort or illness

lightheadedness or fainting

pain in the right side of the abdomen or stomach

slow heartbeat

sore throat

swelling of the face, mouth, hands, or feet

trouble in swallowing or breathing (sudden) accompanied by hoarseness

yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common or rare

Constipation

cough (dry, continuous)

diarrhea

dizziness

itching

joint pain or pain in the arms or legs

nausea

unusual tiredness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Trandolapril/verapamil

thumbs-up

Pros

Combines two blood pressure medications into one tablet for convenience

Only taken once a day

thumbs-down

Cons

Harder to adjust doses because the tablets are available in fixed dosage strengths

Not for people who haven't taken blood pressure medications before

Can interact with many medications, like certain statins and diuretics

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Trandolapril/verapamil

pharmacist

  • Check your blood pressure regularly at home to keep track of how well trandolapril/verapamil is working for you. Write down your blood pressure readings and bring your log to your follow-up appointments. Talk to your prescriber about how well the medication is managing your blood pressure.

    • Let your healthcare team know if you have a dry cough after you start taking trandolapril/verapamil. Dry cough is a common side effect of this medication. Let your prescriber know if this dry cough is bothersome so they can suggest a different treatment option for you.

      • Trandolapril/verapamil helps lower your blood pressure. But sometimes, this can cause dizziness and lightheadedness. This feeling is more likely to happen if you're suddenly standing up from a sitting or lying down position. Make sure to lie down if you feel dizzy or lightheaded and get up slowly. Tell your healthcare team if you faint or feel too dizzy while you're taking this medication.

        • Let your healthcare team know what medications you're taking, including over-the-counter products and supplements. Trandolapril/verapamil can interact with many medications, such as certain diuretics (water pills), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and beta blockers. Your healthcare team can make sure all your medications are safe to take together. Talk with your healthcare team if you have any questions about drug interactions with trandolapril/verapamil.

          • Stop taking trandolapril/verapamil and tell your prescriber right away if you become pregnant while you're taking this medication. Trandolapril/verapamil can harm the baby if it's taken during pregnancy. Your prescriber will find safer ways to help manage your blood pressure.

            faqs

            Frequently asked questions about Trandolapril/verapamil

            How long does it take trandolapril/verapamil to work?
            Some people can see improvements in blood pressure within a week of starting trandolapril/verapamil. It takes about a week to see the full blood pressure-lowering effects of both trandolapril and verapamil for a given dose. Keep track of how well trandolapril/verapamil is working by checking your blood pressure at home as instructed by your prescriber. Share what your blood pressure readings are to your prescriber at your next appointment. They can see whether you need any changes in your treatment to manage your blood pressure better.
            Can you drink alcohol with trandolapril/verapamil?
            It's best to avoid or limit drinking alcohol while you're taking trandolapril/verapamil. Alcohol can make side effects like dizziness or tiredness worse. What's more, drinking alcohol can raise your risk of high blood pressure, especially if you drink heavily often. Talk to your prescriber about your drinking habits. Ask your care team about resources if you drink alcohol regularly and you find it hard to stop.
            Is it safe to take berberine with trandolapril/verapamil together?
            Ask your healthcare team if you can take berberine, a dietary supplement, with trandolapril/verapamil. There isn't enough information to know what happens if you take berberine and trandolapril/verapamil together. We don't know whether it's a safe combination.
            Can trandolapril/verapamil cause headaches?
            Yes, almost 10% of people who took trandolapril/verapamil had a headache during clinical studies. Typically, this side effect goes away as you continue to take the medication. Talk to your healthcare team if your headaches are bothersome or if they don't go away. They can recommend ways to manage your headaches or other treatment options for high blood pressure.
            Does trandolapril/verapamil cause erectile dysfunction?
            Neither trandolapril nor verapamil typically cause erectile dysfunction (ED). Talk to your healthcare team if you experience ED while you're taking trandolapril/verapamil. They can see what might be the cause and recommend some treatment options.
            Does trandolapril/verapamil affect potassium levels?
            Rarely, trandolapril/verapamil can cause your potassium levels to go up. This is because ACE inhibitors like trandolapril can raise your risk of high potassium levels. Your risk is higher if you take other medications or supplements that can raise your potassium levels. You're also at higher risk if you use salt substitutes that have potassium in them. Talk to your care team right away if you have nausea, vomiting, numbness, tingling, or weakness. These can be symptoms of high potassium levels. Don't start any new medications or supplements without talking to your healthcare team first.
            Can I take trandolapril/verapamil during pregnancy?
            Don't take trandolapril/verapamil if you're pregnant since the medication can harm your baby. Call your healthcare team right away if you're pregnant or thinking of getting pregnant while you're taking this medication. Your prescriber might recommend a safer blood pressure medication for you. They also might suggest lifestyle changes, like exercising, eating less salt, and finding ways to reduce stress.
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            What are the risks and warnings for Trandolapril/verapamil?

            Trandolapril/verapamil can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

            risk-warning

            Harm to an unborn baby

            Trandolapril/verapamil can cause severe and sometimes life-threatening harm to an unborn baby if the medication is taken during pregnancy. Because of this potential risk, you should avoid taking trandolapril/verapamil while pregnant.

            Stop taking trandolapril/verapamil and tell your care team right away if you find out that you're pregnant while you're taking this medication. Your prescriber can recommend safer blood pressure medications for you if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

            risk-warning

            Angioedema (swelling)

            • Risk factors: History of angioedema | Black people | Taking Entresto (sacubitril / valsartan) | Taking sirolimus (Rapamune) or everolimus (Zortress, Affinitor)

              Angioedema is a rare but serious side effect of ACE inhibitors, such as trandolapril in trandolapril/verapamil. It causes swelling in different parts of the body, like the face, throat, tongue, arms, legs, and stomach. Swelling of the throat or tongue can be life-threatening since it can make it hard to breathe. You're more likely to experience angioedema if you're Black or of older age.

              Stop taking trandolapril/verapamil and get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing, swelling of the face or tongue, or belly pain. These can be signs of angioedema. The medical team can help manage these symptoms.

              risk-warning

              Worsening heart failure

              • Risk factors: Heart failure | Taking beta blockers

                Some people who took verapamil (an ingredient in trandolapril/verapamil) had heart failure. This is because verapamil can affect how well the heart pumps blood to the rest of the body.

                Tell your prescriber before you start taking trandolapril/verapamil if you have heart failure or if you're taking a beta blocker. People with severe heart failure or people who are taking beta blockers shouldn't take trandolapril/verapamil because the medication can make the heart work even less well.

                Let your care team know right away if you have symptoms of heart failure, such as trouble breathing, tiredness, dizziness, swelling in your body, or sudden weight gain.

                risk-warning

                Low blood pressure

                • Risk factors: Dehydration (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting) | Low-salt diet | Heart failure | People on dialysis | Taking diuretics for a long time

                  Sometimes, taking trandolapril/verapamil can cause your blood pressure to drop too much. Low blood pressure can make you feel dizzy, tired, or lightheaded.

                  Make sure to stay well hydrated while you're taking trandolapril/verapamil to make sure your blood pressure doesn't drop too low. Lie down if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint. Then, get up slowly when you feel better. Let your healthcare team know if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, tired, or confused often while you're taking trandolapril/verapamil.

                  risk-warning

                  Slow heart rate or heart block

                  • Risk factors: Having medical conditions that slow your heart rate | Taking beta blockers or digoxin (Lanoxin)

                    Although rare, trandolapril/verapamil can slow down your heart rate and cause heart block. When your heart beats too slowly, you might feel weak or lightheaded or even pass out.

                    You have a higher risk of a slow heart rate while you're taking trandolapril/verapamil if you also take other medications that slow your heart, like digoxin (Lanoxin) or beta blockers. The risk is also higher if you have other health problems that affect your heart rate or rhythm.

                    Tell your healthcare team about all the medical conditions you have before you start taking trandolapril/verapamil. Ask your prescriber if you're not sure whether this medication is safe for you to take.

                    risk-warning

                    Liver problems

                    • Risk factor: History of liver problems

                      Some people who took trandolapril/verapamil have had higher liver enzyme levels on their results from blood work. These lab results can be a sign of liver injury. Rarely, people had severe liver problems or liver failure.

                      Your prescriber might check your liver enzyme levels every so often while you're taking trandolapril/verapamil. Call your healthcare team if you have belly pain, tiredness, or yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes. These can be signs of liver problems.

                      risk-warning

                      Worsening kidney problems

                      • Risk factors: Severe heart failure | Kidney problems | Kidney artery blockage | Taking other medications that can cause kidney damage | Not enough fluid in the body

                        Trandolapril/verapamil can usually improve blood flow to the kidneys, which is good for people with high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease (CKD). But in some cases, trandolapril/verapamil can cause kidney damage. The risk for kidney damage from trandolapril/verapamil is higher for people who have certain medical conditions, such as blockage of the kidney artery (renal artery stenosis) or severe heart failure.

                        Your prescriber might order lab tests before you start taking trandolapril/verapamil to check your kidneys and make sure it's safe for you to take. They also might check your lab work throughout treatment, especially if you're at higher risk for kidney damage. Let your care team know if you're urinating less often than usual, feeling tired, feeling nauseous, or having chills. These can be symptoms of kidney damage.

                        risk-warning

                        High potassium levels

                        • Risk factors: Kidney problems | Diabetes | Taking other medications that also raise potassium levels

                          Very rarely, trandolapril/verapamil can raise the amount of potassium in your body, which can sometimes be dangerous. Your risk of developing high potassium is greater if you have diabetes, or kidney problems. It's also higher if you're taking other medications that also raise potassium levels, like potassium supplements or certain diuretics.

                          Make sure your healthcare team knows your full medical history and the medications you're taking before you start trandolapril/verapamil. They can monitor your risk for high potassium levels. Tell your care team right away if you have symptoms of high potassium levels, such as muscle weakness, tingling or numbness, nausea, or abnormal heartbeat.

                          risk-warning

                          Dry cough

                          Trandolapril/verapamil can cause a dry cough. This happens because trandolapril raises the level of a protein in the body called bradykinin. And this can make your airways narrower. The dry cough usually goes away after you stop taking the medication. Tell your prescriber if you have a dry cough with trandolapril/verapamil and it starts to bother you.

                          risk-warning

                          Low white blood cell count

                          • Risk factors: Kidney problems | Lupus

                            It's not clear whether trandolapril, one of the ingredients in trandolapril/verapamil, can lower white blood cell counts. But some people with kidney problems and lupus have had low white blood cell counts with a different ACE inhibitor. To be safe, your prescriber might check your white blood cell count during treatment if you have kidney problems or lupus.

                            dosage

                            Trandolapril/verapamil dosage forms

                            The average cost for 90 tablets of 4mg/240mg of Trandolapril/verapamil is $129.08 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 77.08% off the average retail price of $563.28.
                            tablet
                            Tablet
                            DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                            2mg/180mg90 tablets$136.37$1.52
                            1mg/240mg90 tablets$131.43$1.46
                            2mg/240mg90 tablets$129.08$1.43
                            4mg/240mg90 tablets$129.08$1.43

                            Typical dosing for Trandolapril/verapamil

                            The typical dose for the trandolapril/verapamil combination is 1 tablet by mouth once a day with food.

                            The tablets are available in fixed strengths of trandolapril and verapamil:

                            • 1 mg/240 mg (trandolapril/verapamil)

                            • 2 mg/180 mg (trandolapril/verapamil)

                            • 2 mg/240 mg (trandolapril/verapamil)

                            • 4 mg/240 mg (trandolapril/verapamil)

                            interactions

                            Interactions between Trandolapril/verapamil and other drugs

                            Trandolapril/verapamil may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Trandolapril/verapamil. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                            More on Trandolapril/verapamil interactions

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                            Can I Drink Alcohol While Taking Lisinopril, Losartan, Metoprolol, and Other Blood Pressure Medications?

                            Written by Christina Aungst, PharmD

                            Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

                            Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                            Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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                            How much does Trandolapril/verapamil cost?

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                            contraindications-icon

                            Trandolapril/verapamil contraindications

                            Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Trandolapril/verapamil will not be safe for you to take.
                            alternatives

                            What are alternatives to Trandolapril/verapamil?

                            There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Trandolapril/verapamil. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                            Trandolapril/verapamil
                            Used for:

                            • High blood pressure

                            $129.08 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                            Lotrel (amlodipine / benazepril)
                            Used for:

                            • High blood pressure

                            $8.70 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                            Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan)
                            Used for:
                            $24.89 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices

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                            References

                            Best studies we found

                            Bokhari, M. R., et al. (2023). Renal artery stenosis. StatPearls.

                            Chartwell RX, LLC. (2023). Verapamil hydrochloride- verapamil hydrochloride capsule, extended release [package insert]. DailyMed.

                            Endocrine Society. (2022). Hyperprolactinemia.

                            View All References (6)

                            Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA. (2019). Trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride tablet, film coated, extended release [package insert]. DailyMed.

                            Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA. (2019). Trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride- trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride tablet, film coated, extended release [package insert]. DailyMed.

                            MedlinePlus. (2024). White blood count (WBC).

                            Montford, J. R., et al. (2017). How dangerous is hyperkalemia? Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

                            Schoolwerth, A. C., et al. (2001). Renal considerations in angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor therapy. Circulation.

                            Whelton, P. K., et al. (2017). 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Hypertension.

                            GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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