Tranylcypromine

Tranylcypromine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) that helps boost the levels of specific chemicals in the brain.

Tranylcypromine is used to treat major depressive episodes in adults when other treatments have not worked.

Tranylcypromine may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

You may need to stop using tranylcypromine for a short time before any type of surgery or medical procedure. Tell any doctor who treats you that you take tranylcypromine.

It may take a few weeks before you receive the full benefit of taking tranylcypromine. Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with tranylcypromine.

Do not stop using tranylcypromine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Some young people may have thoughts about suicide when they first start taking an antidepressant. Be aware of any changes in your mood or symptoms. Inform your doctor about any new or worsening symptoms.

There are many other medications, foods, and drinks that can lead to serious health issues if taken with tranylcypromine. Inform your doctor about all the medications you are currently taking and any that you start or stop. Avoid drinking alcohol, and find out which foods you need to avoid.

Eating foods high in tyramine while taking tranylcypromine can lead to dangerously high blood pressure. Symptoms may include a sudden and severe headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, cold sweat, dilated pupils, sensitivity to light, fast or pounding heartbeats, neck stiffness, weakness, or problems with vision or speech.

You should not use tranylcypromine if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland).

A dangerous drug interaction could happen between tranylcypromine and certain other medications you used in the past 14 days. You should not take tranylcypromine if you also use:

• other antidepressants;
• buspirone, carbamazepine, reserpine, tapentadol, tetrabenazine, tryptophan, SAM-e;
• diet pills, stimulants, ADHD medications, cough and cold or allergy medicines;
• another MAO inhibitor--isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and others; or
• drugs that affect serotonin levels in your body--stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease, high or low blood pressure, circulation problems, or a stroke;
• bipolar disorder (manic depression);
• liver disease;
• a thyroid disorder;
• headaches;
• diabetes (tranylcypromine may cause low blood sugar); or
• a seizure.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be aware of changes in your mood or symptoms.

Tranylcypromine may harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant.

You should not breast-feed while using tranylcypromine.

Tranylcypromine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: changes in mood or behavior, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Tranylcypromine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• dilated pupils, vision problems, sensitivity to light;
• sudden and severe headache, neck pain or stiffness;
• numbness or weakness, problems with vision or speech;
• fast or pounding heartbeats;
• fever, cold sweat, nausea, vomiting;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• a seizure;
• manic episodes--racing thoughts, increased energy, decreased need for sleep, risk-taking behavior, being agitated or talkative;
• high levels of serotonin in the body--agitation, hallucinations, sweating, shivering, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, vomiting, diarrhea; or
• liver problems--loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults.

Common side effects of tranylcypromine may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness;
• constipation;
• dry mouth, blurred vision;
• trouble sleeping;
• headache; or
• feeling shaky or excited.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Usual Adult Dose for Depression:

30 mg per day, orally, in divided doses-If improvement does not occur in a reasonable period (up to 2 weeks), the dose may be increased by 10 mg per day at 1 to 3 week intervals.-Maximum dose: 60 mg/dayComments:-Adjust dosage to the requirements of the individual patient.-Improvement usually occurs within 48 hours to 3 weeks after starting therapy.-Suitable candidates for treatment are patients who have failed to respond to drugs more commonly used to treat depression.-The effectiveness in patients with major depression with melancholia (endogenous features) has not been established.Use: Treatment of major depressive episode without melancholia

Take the medicine as soon as you remember, but skip the missed dose if it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at once.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms may include feeling restless or anxious, sleep problems, agitation, confusion, weakness, severe headache, neck pain or stiffness, pounding heartbeats, or loss of consciousness.

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.

You must not eat foods that are high in tyramine, including:

• air dried, aged or fermented meats, including sausage or salami;
• beer on tap (not in a bottle or can);
• pickled herring;
• aged cheeses, including blue, boursault, brie, camembert, cheddar, gruyere, mozzarella, parmesan, Romano, Roquefort, and Swiss;
• moldy or improperly stored meat, fish, poultry, or liver;
• soy sauce, miso soup, bean curd, fava beans; or
• yeast extracts, Marmite.

Eating tyramine while you are taking tranylcypromine can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels, causing life-threatening side effects. Also avoid tyramine for 2 weeks after you stop taking tranylcypromine.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how tranylcypromine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

When you begin or stop taking tranylcypromine, your doctor may need to change the doses of any other medicines you regularly take.

There are many other drugs that can lead to serious medical issues if taken with tranylcypromine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are included in this medication guide. Inform your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

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