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trandolapril

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Brand names: Mavik

ACE Inhibitor Rx

Trandolapril (Mavik) is a medicine that lowers blood pressure. It can also help people who have had a heart attack and have a weak heart.

Drug Pricing (NADAC)

Generic Price

$0.17/unit

Generic Available

Yes (4 manufacturers)

Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →

What it does

Trandolapril is used to treat high blood pressure.

Common side effects

Cough, Dizziness

Key warnings

If you become pregnant, stop taking trandolapril right away.

How It Works

Trandolapril belongs to a class of drugs called ACE inhibitors. It works by blocking a substance in your body that tightens blood vessels. This helps your blood vessels relax and lowers your blood pressure.

How to Take It

If you are taking trandolapril for high blood pressure and are not on a water pill, the usual starting dose is 1 mg once a day if you are not Black, or 2 mg once a day if you are Black. Your doctor may change your dose every week based on your blood pressure. If you are taking it for heart failure after a heart attack, the usual starting dose is 1 mg once a day, and your doctor will increase it to 4 mg once a day as you tolerate it. If you have kidney problems or liver problems, the usual starting dose is 0.5 mg daily.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Do not take trandolapril if you are pregnant. It can cause serious harm to your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about other blood pressure medicines if you are breastfeeding.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.

Storage

Store trandolapril tablets at room temperature, between 68°F and 77°F.

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 1,014 FDA adverse event reports.

Difficulty breathing
137
Tiredness
119
Using the medicine for something it's not approved for
117
Feeling lightheaded or unsteady
108
Loose or watery stools
99
A dry or persistent cough
97
Weakness
90
Feeling sick to your stomach
85
When medicines affect each other
82
Medicine not working
80

FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis

Detailed analysis of 1,978 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.

Total Reports

1,978

Death-Related Reports

192

Hospitalization Reports

987

Top Indication

Product Used For Unknown Indication

Gender Distribution

Female 826 (45%)
Male 990 (54%)

Age Distribution

0–17 22
18–44 98
45–64 413
65–74 443
75+ 472

Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)

# Reaction Reports
1 DYSPNOEA 137
2 FATIGUE 119
3 OFF LABEL USE 117
4 DIZZINESS 108
5 DIARRHOEA 99
6 COUGH 97
7 ASTHENIA 90
8 NAUSEA 85
9 DRUG INTERACTION 82
10 DRUG INEFFECTIVE 80
11 TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS 78
12 HYPERTENSION 75
13 HYPOTENSION 74
14 ARTHRALGIA 68
15 PYREXIA 66

Reactions in Death Reports

DEATH 37
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS 22
LACTIC ACIDOSIS 18
PNEUMONIA 18
RESPIRATORY FAILURE 17
BEZOAR 16
HYPOTENSION 16
OESOPHAGEAL OBSTRUCTION 15
PNEUMONIA ASPIRATION 15
DIARRHOEA 14

Reactions in Hospitalization Reports

DYSPNOEA 82
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS 67
LACTIC ACIDOSIS 62
HYPOTENSION 58
DIZZINESS 54
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY 53
DIARRHOEA 52
ASTHENIA 51
FATIGUE 51
PYREXIA 50

Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation

Serious Warnings

If you become pregnant, stop taking trandolapril right away. This medicine can harm or cause death to your unborn baby.

Known Drug Interactions

Drug Interactions Dual Blockade of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) Dual blockade of the RAS with angiotensin receptor blockers, ACE inhibitors, or aliskiren is associated with increased risks of hypotension, hyperkalemia, and changes in renal function (including acute renal failure) compared to monotherapy. Do not co-administer aliskiren with trandolapril in patients with diabetes. Avoid use of aliskiren with trandolapril in patients with renal impairment (GFR <60 mL/min).

Mechanism: Both drugs target the same system for controlling blood pressure, which can overwork the kidneys. This increases the risk of very low blood pressure and high potassium levels.

What to do: Do not use these together if you have diabetes or kidney disease. Your doctor should check your blood pressure and kidney health often if you take both.

Use of potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone, triamterene, or amiloride), potassium supplements, or potassium-containing salt substitutes concomitantly with ACE inhibitors can increase the risk of hyperkalemia.

Mechanism: Both of these medicines cause the body to keep potassium instead of getting rid of it, which can lead to dangerously high levels in the blood.

What to do: Your doctor should check your blood potassium levels regularly if you take these two medications together.

moderate lithium

Lithium Increased serum lithium levels and symptoms of lithium toxicity have been reported in patients receiving concomitant lithium and ACE inhibitor therapy. These drugs should be coadministered with caution, and frequent monitoring of serum lithium levels is recommended. If a diuretic is also used, the risk of lithium toxicity may be increased.

Mechanism: Trandolapril can make it harder for your body to clear lithium, which may cause the lithium to build up to toxic levels.

What to do: Your doctor should monitor your lithium blood levels frequently to prevent toxicity while you are taking both drugs.

moderate amiloride

Use of potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone, triamterene, or amiloride), potassium supplements, or potassium-containing salt substitutes concomitantly with ACE inhibitors can increase the risk of hyperkalemia.

Mechanism: These drugs both prevent the body from removing potassium, which can cause potassium levels in your blood to become too high.

What to do: Your healthcare provider should monitor your blood potassium levels closely while you are using this combination.

Other No clinically significant pharmacokinetic interaction has been found between trandolaprilat and food, cimetidine, digoxin, or furosemide.

Mechanism: Studies show that these two medications do not interfere with each other in the body. They can be processed by the body at the same time without issues.

What to do: You can take these medicines together as directed by your healthcare provider. No special monitoring is required beyond your normal checkups.

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Common Questions

Can I take trandolapril with other blood pressure medicines?
Yes, trandolapril can be used with other blood pressure medicines.
What should I do if I feel dizzy after taking trandolapril?
Lie down until the dizziness passes. Talk to your doctor if dizziness continues.
Can I drink alcohol while taking trandolapril?
Talk to your doctor about drinking alcohol while taking trandolapril, as it may lower your blood pressure too much.
Does trandolapril interact with any other medications?
Yes, trandolapril can interact with several medications. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
Can I take potassium supplements while taking trandolapril?
Talk to your doctor before taking potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium, as they can raise your potassium levels too high.
How long does it take for trandolapril to start working?
Trandolapril starts working within a few hours, but it may take several weeks to see the full effect on your blood pressure.
What if my blood pressure is still high after taking trandolapril for a while?
Talk to your doctor. They may need to adjust your dose or add another medication.
Can trandolapril cause kidney problems?
In some cases, trandolapril can affect kidney function, especially if you have existing kidney problems or are taking certain other medications. Your doctor will monitor your kidney function.
Is it safe to drive while taking trandolapril?
Trandolapril can cause dizziness, so be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you.
Can I stop taking trandolapril if my blood pressure is normal?
Do not stop taking trandolapril without talking to your doctor first. Stopping suddenly can cause your blood pressure to rise.
What are the common side effects of trandolapril?
The most commonly reported side effects of trandolapril include Cough, Dizziness. Based on 1,014 FDA adverse event reports. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.
Does trandolapril interact with other medications?
Yes, trandolapril has 8 known drug interactions. Notable interactions include aliskiren, spironolactone, lithium. Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
What drug class is trandolapril?
trandolapril belongs to the ACE Inhibitor drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). Trandolapril is used to treat high blood pressure.
Is trandolapril safe during pregnancy?
Do not take trandolapril if you are pregnant. It can cause serious harm to your unborn baby. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

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What the FDA Data Shows for trandolapril

The FDA label for trandolapril (sold under brand names such as Mavik) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the ACE Inhibitor class. Trandolapril is used to treat high blood pressure. Official labeling lists 2 commonly reported side effects, including Cough, Dizziness.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 1,014 voluntary reports. The database also lists 8 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.17.

Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Last updated: April 18, 2024

All federal data sources used on this page