Mavik

Introduction

Written by Lee Holland, PharmD, MPH
Medically reviewed by Amber Watson, PharmD
Updated on September 19, 2023

Trandolapril (tran DOE la pril) is a generic medication prescribed for high blood pressure and certain heart failure. Trandolapril belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.

Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm

Trandolapril has a boxed warning about the risk of fetal harm. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for trandolapril” section.

Common questions about trandolapril

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about trandolapril.

What brand names are available for trandolapril?

The brand name for trandolapril was Mavik, but the brand-name form is no longer available. Trandolapril is the generic name for the drug.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less compared to brand-name drugs.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about generic trandolapril.  

Is it safe to take trandolapril with verapamil?

Yes, it is safe to take trandolapril with verapamil. Trandolapril belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Verapamil belongs to a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Both drugs are used to treat high blood pressure.

Trandolapril and verapamil are often prescribed together to treat high blood pressure.

If you have questions about taking trandolapril and verapamil together, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does trandolapril work? And how long does it take to start working?

Trandolapril works by blocking a chemical in the body called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). ACE causes the blood vessels in the body to narrow. This can raise blood pressure. By blocking ACE in the body, trandolapril can lower blood pressure. Trandolapril starts working in about 4 hours.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions and warnings for trandolapril

Below you’ll find information about trandolapril’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of trandolapril

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take trandolapril, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for trandolapril” section below.

Warnings for trandolapril

Some people should not take trandolapril, and others should take it cautiously.

Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm

To learn more about this risk, see the “Pregnancy or breastfeeding and trandolapril” section below.

Other warnings

Trandolapril could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether trandolapril is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of trandolapril you take.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for trandolapril, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Trandolapril can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to trandolapril or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe trandolapril. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to trandolapril, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of trandolapril

If you take trandolapril by mouth, you should not take more trandolapril than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much trandolapril, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and trandolapril

Information about trandolapril and pregnancy and breastfeeding are described below.

Trandolapril and pregnancy

Trandolapril should not be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with trandolapril.

Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm

Trandolapril has a boxed warning about the risk of fetal injury or death when taken during pregnancy. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

It isn’t known whether this side effect was reported in studies of trandolapril. But the risk of fetal injury or death is a known risk of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Trandolapril is an ACE inhibitor.

If you have concerns about the warning of fetal death or harm, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend that you not take trandolapril unless your life is at risk.

To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Trandolapril and breastfeeding

Trandolapril should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with trandolapril.

Uses of trandolapril

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as trandolapril for certain conditions. Approved uses for trandolapril are described below.

Use for high blood pressure

Doctors may prescribe trandolapril tablet for treating high blood pressure. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With high blood pressure, the pressure in your arteries and veins is too high. It often does not have any symptoms. But untreated high blood pressure can cause damage to internal organs. This damage may result in symptoms such as:

• blindness
• kidney damage
• heart attack
• stroke

Trandolapril works by relaxing and widening blood vessels. This helps lower blood pressure.

Use for heart failure

Doctors may prescribe trandolapril tablet for treating heart failure after a heart attack. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With heart failure, the heart is damaged. It does not pump enough blood to supply your body. When this happens, the body does not receive enough oxygen to work well. Heart failure symptoms include:

• fatigue (low energy)
• sudden weight gain
• cough that does not go away
• swelling of the legs and arms

Trandolapril treats heart failure by reducing stress on the heart.

Side effects of trandolapril

Trandolapril may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of trandolapril and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about trandolapril’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for trandolapril listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of trandolapril are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of trandolapril you take.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about trandolapril’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for trandolapril listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Trandolapril oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• cough
• dizziness
• diarrhea
• dangerously low blood pressure
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for trandolapril” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of trandolapril are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of trandolapril you take.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about trandolapril’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for trandolapril listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, trandolapril’s serious side effects include:

• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat
• abdominal pain due to swelling of the intestines
• boxed warning(s): risk of fetal harm*
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for trandolapril” section.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about trandolapril or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Am I at higher risk of side effects from trandolapril than others?
• Are there any alternative medications I can take for my condition?
• What drug interactions should I avoid when taking trandolapril?

Resources

• Trandolapril — trandolapril tablet. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/6f25ed16-e5e9-4170-b4b4-3b460887779e/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.