Drugs >  Tranylcypromine
Tranylcypromine
Pronunciation
Brand Names
Therapeutic Categories
Reasons not to take this medicine
What is this medicine used for?
How does it work?
How is it best taken?
What do I do if I miss a dose?
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
What are the common side effects of this medicine?
What should I monitor?
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
How should I store this medicine?
General statements

Pronunciation
(tran il SIP roe meen)

Brand Names
Parnate®

Therapeutic Categories
Antidepressant, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor

Reasons not to take this medicine

  • If you have an allergy to tranylcypromine or any other part of the medicine.
  • If you have any of the following conditions: Uncontrolled high blood pressure, pheochromocytoma, liver disease, weakened heart (congestive heart failure).
  • If you are taking any of these medicines: A stimulant; depressant; meperidine; bupropion; guanethidine; any medicines affecting serotonin such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram, fluvoxamine; general anesthesia; spinal anesthesia.
  • If you drink alcohol.
  • If you are eating foods with a high tyramine content, eating chocolate, drinking caffeine-containing products.


What is this medicine used for?

  • This medicine is used for the treatment of depression. It is usually given after other medicines have failed to help.


How does it work?

  • Tranylcypromine increases chemicals in the brain. The low levels of these chemicals may have caused the depression. Sleep and appetite may improve quickly. Other symptoms may take up to 4-6 weeks to improve.


How is it best taken?

  • To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
  • Stay away from tyramine-containing foods and drinks. Talk with healthcare provider and nutritionist.


What do I do if I miss a dose?

  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
  • Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with healthcare provider.


What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Wear drug medical alert identification for monoamine oxidase inhibitors. These include isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine.
  • You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Avoid alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can cause life-threatening high blood pressure even 2 weeks after medicine is stopped.
  • Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake. Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and anxiety.
  • Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers about this medicine. You may have to stop medicine before surgery.
  • Do not use over-the-counter products that may affect blood pressure. These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Do not use over-the-counter medicines containing dextromethorphan (Robitussin-DM®) or pseudoephedrine. Can cause life-threatening high blood pressure.
  • Do not take with other medicines for depression, diet pills, stimulants like amphetamines, reserpine, or pain medicines. There should be 2 weeks between stopping one medicine and starting another.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or planning on getting pregnant.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.


What are the common side effects of this medicine?

  • Feeling lightheaded, tired, or having blurred vision. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
  • Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
  • Inability to sleep.
  • Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.


What should I monitor?

  • Check blood pressure regularly.
  • Follow diet plan as recommended by healthcare provider. Avoid tyramine-containing products.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.


Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Confusion; very nervous; anger with sweating, shivering, stiffness, or shaking.
  • Severe headache, rapid heartbeats, or pounding in the chest.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.


How should I store this medicine?

  • Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.


General statements

  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).


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