Calcium Channel Blockers (non-dihydropyridine) require the following prior to each administered dose:
1) Nursing staff shall obtain the patient’s pulse and record in the EMR. 2) If the pulse is less than 50, the nurse shall obtain an apical heart rate. If the apical heart rate is less than 50, the nurse shall hold the dose and notify the provider for further orders. 3) This is applicable to all routes of administration
2023 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria® for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults.
Medication:
trandolapril-verapamil (Tarka)
Criteria 2: Potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults due to drug–disease or drug–syndrome interactions that may exacerbate the disease or syndrome. (Table 3)
Potential to promote fluid retention and/or exacerbate heart failure.
Recommendation
Avoid in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.
Quality of evidence: Moderate, Strength of Recommendation: Strong
Criteria 4: Potentially clinically important drug-drug interactions that should be avoided in older adults. (Table 5)
Interacting drug(s) or class(es)
RAS inhibitors (ACEIs ARBs, ARNIs, aliskiren) ⇄ Another RAS inhibitor or a potassium-sparing diuretic
Risk Rationale
Increased risk of hyperkalemia.
Recommendation
Avoid routinely using 2 or more RAS inhibitors, or a RAS inhibitor and potassium-sparing diuretic, concurrently in those with chronic kidney disease Stage 3a or higher.
Quality of evidence: Moderate, Strength of Recommendation: Strong
Pediatric Pharmacy Association 2025 KIDs List of Key Potentially Inappropriate Drugs in Pediatrics
Medication:
trandolapril-verapamil (Tarka)
Key Potentially Inappropriate Drugs in Pediatrics (KIDs) List: Second Edition (Table 1)
Drug
verapamil
Risk/Rationale
Cardiovascular collapse
Recommendation
Caution in younger than 1 yr
Quality of evidence: Low, Strength of Recommendation: Weak
2) If the pulse is less than 50, the nurse shall obtain an apical heart rate. If the apical heart rate is less than 50, the nurse shall hold the dose and notify the provider for further orders.
3) This is applicable to all routes of administration