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Uses

What is tranylcypromine used for?

Tranylcypromine is commonly used to treat depression.

Tranylcypromine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does tranylcypromine work (mechanism of action)?

Tranylcypromine belongs to a group of medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). It is believed to increase the amount of natural chemicals called norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin in the brain.

How is tranylcypromine supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Parnate

Dosage forms and strengths 

  • 10 mg oral tablets 

How should I store tranylcypromine?

Tranylcypromine should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Store in a tightly closed container. Protect from light.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of tranylcypromine?

The most common side effects of tranylcypromine are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Dry mouth
  • Dizziness
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Drowsiness
  • Headache
  • Overexcitement
  • Constipation
  • Blurred vision
  • Shakiness

There may be other side effects of tranylcypromine that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of tranylcypromine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of tranylcypromine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Tranylcypromine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking tranylcypromine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Suicidal Thoughts or Actions. Tranylcypromine or other antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of children, teenagers, or young adults in the first few months of taking the medicine or when the dose is changed. Depression or other serious mental health conditions are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts or actions. If you or your child is about to harm themselves, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • New or increased thoughts of suicide or death
  • Suicide attempt
  • New or increased feelings of anxiety, depression, or other unusual changes in your mood or behavior

Increased Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Tranylcypromine may increase your blood pressure or make it worse if you have a history of high blood pressure. Call your healthcare provider if your blood pressure increases while taking this medicine.

If you measure your blood pressure and the top number (systolic) is 180 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number (diastolic) is 120 mm Hg or higher, get medical attention right away. Increases in blood pressure may not be noticeable but look out for any of the following symptoms of severely high blood pressure.

  • Sudden severe headache
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Trouble breathing
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Blurry or other changes to vision
  • Anxiety
  • Buzzing in the ears
  • Nosebleed
  • Feeling of skipped heartbeats

Serotonin Syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is when there is too much of a chemical called serotonin in your body. Tranylcypromine can cause serotonin syndrome when it is used with other medicines that affect serotonin. This condition can be life-threatening. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of serotonin syndrome.

  • Sweating, fever, or flushing
  • Confusion
  • Feeling agitated or restless
  • Seeing or hearing unusual things
  • Dizziness
  • Fast or racing heartbeat
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Muscle twitching, stiffness, or tremor
  • Seizures

Extremely Elevated Mood (Mania). People with bipolar disorder can have severe high and low moods. The first symptom of bipolar disorder may be depression. People with bipolar disorder who are treated with an antidepressant, such as tranylcypromine, may have a higher risk of having mania or a manic episode. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a manic episode.

  • Very increased energy
  • Significant trouble sleeping
  • Racing, fast-paced thoughts
  • Reckless behavior
  • Unusually grand ideas
  • Excessive happiness or irritability
  • Talking faster or more than normal

Low Blood Pressure Upon Standing (Orthostatic Hypotension). Tranylcypromine may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up from a seated or lying position. This may also cause fainting. To help prevent this, be careful not to get up too quickly. If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down right away until the dizziness stops, then take your time getting up again. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of orthostatic hypotension.

  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting upon standing
  • Blurred vision
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking tranylcypromine. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice) 

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use tranylcypromine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take tranylcypromine.

  • Tranylcypromine
  • Parnate
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific tranylcypromine products they stock.

Drug Interactions. Tranylcypromine should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking tranylcypromine, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Hormone-Releasing Tumor. Tranylcypromine should not be taken if you have a certain type of tumor that secrete hormones known as catecholamines. These include pheochromocytoma, a type of adrenal gland tumor or some tumors known as a paraganglioma. People with a tumor that releases catecholamines are more likely to have a dangerous increase in blood pressure while taking tranylcypromine.

What should I know about tranylcypromine before using it?

Do not take tranylcypromine unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share tranylcypromine with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep tranylcypromine out of the reach of children.

Do not stop taking tranylcypromine without talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping too quickly may cause certain side effects. These side effects are usually temporary, but some can last longer than others. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any new side effects after stopping tranylcypromine, such as the following.

  • Unusual mood changes
  • Feeling irritable or agitated
  • Dizziness
  • Tingling or shocking sensations
  • Anxiety
  • Confusion
  • Headache
  • Feeling unusually tired
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Ringing in your ears
  • Seizures

Tranylcypromine may cause you to feel sleepy or disoriented. Tranylcypromine may also cause dizziness, especially when you stand up quickly after lying or sitting down. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how tranylcypromine affects you.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using tranylcypromine?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if tranylcypromine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • High or low blood pressure
  • Heart problems
  • Stroke or any circulation problems in your brain
  • Personal or family history of bipolar disorder or mania
  • Liver problems
  • Seizures
  • Diabetes
  • Headaches
  • Thyroid problems
  • Planned or scheduled surgeries

Pregnancy. Tranylcypromine may cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use tranylcypromine while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Tranylcypromine passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop tranylcypromine.

Interactions

Does tranylcypromine interact with foods or drinks?

Tranylcypromine can increase your body’s sensitivity to tyramine, a natural compound found in large amounts in foods such as aged cheese, cured or processed meat, pickled or fermented vegetables, citrus and tropical fruits, and fermented alcoholic beverages such as beer or red wine. Avoid eating foods high in tyramine while taking tranylcypromine and for at least two weeks after stopping tranylcypromine, as this may increase the risk of large increases in your blood pressure.

Do not drink alcohol while taking tranylcypromine. You could have very serious side effects if you drink alcohol while taking this medicine.

Does tranylcypromine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking tranylcypromine.

  • An antidepressant, such as a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), or a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which is a medicine that is commonly used for anxiety and depression, that you are currently using or have used recently (5 weeks if the antidepressant was fluoxetine)
  • Another monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as selegiline or rasagiline, within the past week, which is a medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease
  • Amphetamines or methylphenidate, which are medicines commonly used to treat ADHD
  • An antihistamine, such as chlorpheniramine or diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which is a medicine commonly used to treat allergy symptoms
  • A decongestant such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, which is used to treat nasal congestion caused by cold or allergies 
  • Ephedrine, which is a medicine used to relieve symptoms of asthma
  • A type of medicine called a triptan, such as sumatriptan (Imitrex and others), eletriptan (Relpax), and others, which is commonly used to treat migraines
  • Buspirone, which is a medicine commonly used for anxiety
  • Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
  • Cyclobenzaprine, which is a muscle relaxant
  • Dextromethorphan, which is a cough suppressant contained in many prescription and OTC products for cold and flu symptoms
  • Hydroxytryptophan, which is contained in many OTC products for improving mood or sleep problems
  • Levodopa, which is a medicine for Parkinson’s disease
  • An opioid, such as meperidine or tapentadol, which is used for certain types of pain
  • Methyldopa, which is a medicine used to reduce blood pressure
  • Milnacipran, which is a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) used for a type of chronic pain known as fibromyalgia
  • S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM-e or SAM), which is contained in many OTC products for improving a variety of conditions including depression, liver disease, and osteoarthritis
  • Tetrabenazine, which is a medicine commonly used to treat Huntington’s Disease
  • Tryptophan, which is a supplement that may be used to help the body make proteins and certain brain-signaling chemicals
  • A medicine for high blood pressure
  • A medicine for diabetes
  • Products that contain caffeine, which is often found in medicines for reducing water weight (diuretics), staying awake, headaches, and hangover relief
  • Any other medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness, such as prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, and medicines for anxiety

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with tranylcypromine. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much tranylcypromine?

If you or someone else has used too much tranylcypromine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of tranylcypromine?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.