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Printable Version Parnate

Active Ingredients: Tranylcypromine
Representative Names: Parnate
Available Product Images:

What are tranylcypromine tablets?
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
How should I take this medicine?
What if I miss a dose?
What drug(s) may interact with tranylcypromine?
What side effects may I notice from taking tranylcypromine?
What should I watch for while taking tranylcypromine?
Where can I keep my medicine?

What are tranylcypromine tablets? (Back to top)
TRANYLCYPROMINE (Parnate®) belongs to a class of drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Tranylcypromine increases the level of certain chemicals in the brain that help fight depression and other mood problems, including certain anxiety disorders. Tranylcypromine can interact with certain foods and other medicines to cause unpleasant side effects. You must know what foods and medicines to avoid (see below). Generic tranylcypromine tablets are available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? (Back to top)
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•frequently drink alcohol-containing beverages
•asthma or bronchitis
•attempted suicide
•bipolar disorder or mania
•diabetes
•headaches or migraine
•heart or blood vessel disease, or irregular heart beats
•high blood pressure
•kidney disease
•liver disease
•over-active thyroid
•Parkinson's disease
•pheochromocytoma
•recent head trauma
•seizures or convulsions
•schizophrenia or psychosis
•stroke or other cerebrovascular disease
•an unusual or allergic reaction to tranylcypromine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine? (Back to top)
Take tranylcypromine tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking the tablets except on your prescriber's advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Elderly patients over age 65 years may have a stronger reaction to this medicine and should use this medicine with caution.

What if I miss a dose? (Back to top)
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is less than two hours to your next dose, take only that dose and skip the missed dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with tranylcypromine? (Back to top)
•alcohol
•barbiturates such as phenobarbital
•bupropion
•buspirone
•caffeine
•carbamazepine
•certain medicines for blood pressure (especially beta-blockers, methyldopa, reserpine, guanadrel, and guanethidine)
•cocaine
•dextromethorphan
•diet pills or stimulants, like amphetamines or ephedra
•disulfiram
•furazolidone
•ginseng
•guarana
•kava kava
•levodopa
•linezolid
•local anesthetics
•medicines for allergies, colds, flu symptoms, sinus congestion and breathing difficulties
•medicines for diabetes
•medicines for migraine headaches
•medicines for movement abnormalities as in Parkinson's disease (examples: entacapone, levodopa, selegiline, tolcapone)
•muscle relaxants
•other medicines for mental depression, anxiety, or mood or mental problems
•meperidine
•procarbazine
•SAM-e
•seizure (convulsion) or epilepsy medicine
•St. John's wort
•tramadol
•tryptophan
•tyramine—see below for foods that contain tyramine
•valerian
•water pills (diuretics)
•yohimbine

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking tranylcypromine? (Back to top)
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
•agitation
•chest pain
•confusion
•difficulty breathing
•difficulty passing urine
•enlarged pupils, sensitivity of the eyes to light
•fever, clammy skin, increased sweating
•headache
•lightheadedness or fainting spells
•muscle or neck stiffness or spasm
•sexual dysfunction
•slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
•yellowing of the skin or eyes

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•blurred vision
•constipation
•difficulty sleeping
•drowsiness or dizziness
•dry mouth
•loss of appetite
•muscle aches or pains, trembling
•nausea, vomiting
•swelling of the feet or legs
•unusual tiredness or weakness

What should I watch for while taking tranylcypromine? (Back to top)
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. It can take up to 4 weeks to see the full effects of tranylcypromine. Do not suddenly stop taking your medicine; this may make your condition worse or give you withdrawal symptoms. Ask your prescriber or health care professional for advice about gradually reducing your dosage. Even after you stop taking tranylcypromine the effects can last for at least two weeks. Continue to take all precautions and avoid all food and medicines that interact with tranylcypromine.

Tranylcypromine can interact with certain foods that contain tyramine to produce severe headaches, a rise in blood pressure, or irregular heart beat. Foods that contain significant amounts of tyramine include aged cheeses; meats and fish (especially aged, smoked, pickled, or processed such as bologna, pepperoni, salami, summer sausage); beer and ale; alcohol-free beer; wine (especially red); sherry; hard liquor; liqueurs; avocados; bananas; figs; raisins; soy sauce; miso soup; yeast/protein extracts; bean curd; fava or broad bean pods; or any over-ripe fruit. Ask your prescriber or health care professional, pharmacist, or nutritionist for a complete listing of tyramine-containing foods. Also, avoid drinks containing caffeine, such as tea, coffee, chocolate, or cola.

Call your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can if you get frequent headaches or have palpitations.

You may get drowsy, dizzy or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how tranylcypromine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may increase dizziness or drowsiness; avoid alcoholic drinks.

Tranylcypromine can make your mouth dry. Chewing sugarless gum, sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water will help.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, flu or allergies without asking your prescriber or health care professional for advice. Do not take any medications for weight loss without advice either. Some ingredients in these products may increase possible side effects.

If you are diabetic there is a possibility that tranylcypromine may affect your blood sugar. Ask your prescriber or health care professional for advice if there is any change in your blood or urine sugar tests.

Notify your health care professional if you are scheduled to have any surgery, procedure or medical testing (including myelography). You should usually stop taking tranyclcypromine at least 10 days before elective surgery; tell your prescriber or health care professional that you have been taking tranylcypromine.

Where can I keep my medicine? (Back to top)
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed.Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.


Last Updated:07/24/2006

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY©
GOLD STANDARD MULTIMEDIA INC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.

  Additional Information

  Check Drug Interactions with Parnate

 Compare Parnate to similar drugs

  Learn how Parnate is used to treat:
  • Anxiety
  • Depression

      Test Yourself! If you currently take Parnate, do you know everything that you need to know?

      Make your own printable Medication / Emergency Contact Card



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