Trandolapril belongs to the class of medications called ACE inhibitors. It is used for the treatment of high blood pressure. It works by relaxing blood vessels and by making the heart pump more efficiently. It is also used after heart attacks to reduce the risk of another heart attack and prevent the onset or worsening of congestive heart failure.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than the ones listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

For treatment of high blood pressure, the recommended adult starting dose is 1 mg once daily with increases in dose every 2 to 4 weeks until blood pressure is controlled. The maximum recommended dose is 4 mg once daily.

After a heart attack, the recommended starting dose is 1 mg once daily starting no earlier than the third day after the heart attack has taken place. After 2 days, the recommended dose is increased to 2 mg once daily and after one month, the recommended dose is increased to 4 mg once daily if the medication is tolerated.

Trandolapril may be taken with or without food.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

0.5 mg
Each red opaque body and yellow opaque cap, no. 4 gelatin capsule, contains trandolapril 0.5 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose, maize starch, povidone and sodium stearyl fumarate; capsule cap and body: erythrosine, iron oxides and hydroxides, sodium lauryl sulfate and titanium dioxide.

1 mg
Each red opaque body and orange opaque cap, no. 4 gelatin capsule, contains trandolapril 1 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose, maize starch, povidone and sodium stearyl fumarate; capsule cap and body: erythrosine, iron oxides and hydroxides, sodium lauryl sulfate and titanium dioxide.

2 mg
Each red opaque body and red opaque cap, no. 4 gelatin capsule, contains trandolapril 2 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose, maize starch, povidone and sodium stearyl fumarate; capsule cap and body: erythrosine, iron oxides and hydroxides, sodium lauryl sulfate and titanium dioxide.

4 mg
Each red opaque body and brown opaque cap, no. 4 gelatin capsule, contains trandolapril 4 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose, maize starch, povidone and sodium stearyl fumarate; capsule cap and body: erythrosine, iron oxides and hydroxides, sodium lauryl sulfate and titanium dioxide.

Trandolapril should not be taken by anyone who:

• is allergic to trandolapril or any of the ingredients of the medication
• has had angioedema (a serious allergic reaction which causes the area around the throat and tongue to swell) after taking any other ACE inhibitors (e.g., captopril, ramipril)

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• cough (dry, persistent)
• diarrhea
• headache
• loss of taste
• nausea
• unusual tiredness
• diarrhea
• loss of taste
• nausea
• unusual tiredness

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• abdominal pain, abdominal distention, fever, nausea, or vomiting
• chest pain
• confusion
• dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting (signs of low blood pressure)
• irregular heartbeat
• nervousness
• numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or lips
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• skin rash, with or without itching, fever, or joint pain
• weakness or heaviness of legs

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• fever and chills
• hoarseness
• stomach pain, itching of skin, or yellow eyes or skin
• swelling of face, mouth, hands, or feet
• trouble in swallowing or breathing (sudden)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Angioedema: Angioedema (a serious allergic reaction which causes the area around the throat and tongue to swell) may occur with trandolopril, although uncommonly. If swelling of the face, tongue, or glottis occurs, stop the medication at once and seek immediate medical attention. If you experience angioedema with trandolapril, you should not take any of the other ACE inhibitors, such as enalapril, lisinopril, or quinapril.

People who have had angioedema caused by other substances may be at increased risk of angioedema while taking an ACE inhibitor such as trandolapril.

Cough: A dry persistent cough may occur for some people taking trandolopril. Be sure to tell your doctor of any cough which does not seem to be related to a usual cause.

Kidney function: Changes in kidney function have been seen in certain people. The use of diuretics (water pills) may further increase risk of kidney problems for those at risk for this problem.

Low blood pressure: Occasionally, blood pressure drops too low after taking trandolapril. This usually happens after the first or second dose or when the dose is increased. It is more likely to occur for those who take water pills, have a salt restricted diet, are on dialysis, or are experiencing diarrhea or vomiting. If low blood pressure causes you to faint or feel lightheaded, contact a doctor.

Excessive sweating and lack of fluid intake may lead to an excessive fall in blood pressure because of reduced fluid in your blood vessels. Vomiting or diarrhea may also lead to a fall in blood pressure. Consult your doctor if you feel your blood pressure is too low.

Potassium levels: Increases in blood levels of potassium occur for a small percentage of people taking trandolapril. This rarely causes problems, but potassium levels should be monitored by your doctor.

Pregnancy: Trandolapril should not be taken by pregnant women. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if trandalopril passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding mothers should not take this medication.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.

There may be an interaction between trandolapril and any of the following:

• diuretics (water pills; e.g., furosemide, amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene)
• lithium
• medications that lower blood pressure
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs; e.g., indomethacin)
• substances that increase potassium levels (e.g., potassium chloride, salt substitutes containing potassium)
• tetracycline

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.