tranylcypromine Health Article

How should I take tranylcypromine?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time if you need to have any type of surgery, or if you will have an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI of your spinal cord. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking tranylcypromine.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood pressure will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. It may take 4 weeks or longer before you notice improvement in your symptoms. Store tranylcypromine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a tranylcypromine overdose may include feeling restless or anxious, sleep problems (insomnia), agitation, confusion, weakness, severe headache, neck pain or stiffness, fast or pounding heart beats, chest pain, cold sweats, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking tranylcypromine?

While you are taking tranylcypromine, you must not eat foods that are high in tyramine, including:

• avocados, bananas, figs, raisins, and sauerkraut;

• beef or chicken liver, fish, meats prepared with tenderizer, bologna, pepperoni, salami, summer sausage, game meat, meat extracts, caviar, dried fish, herring, and shrimp paste;

• beer (alcoholic and nonalcoholic), red wine (especially Chianti), sherry, vermouth, and other distilled spirits;

• caffeine (including coffee, tea, cola); and

• cheeses, including American, blue, boursault, brick, brie, camembert, cheddar, emmenthaler, gruyere, mozzarella, parmesan, romano, roquefort, stilton, and swiss;

• chocolate;

• ginseng;

• sour cream and yogurt;

• soy sauce, miso soup, bean curd, fava beans; or

• yeast extracts.

Eating tyramine while you are taking tranylcypromine can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels, causing life-threatening side effects.

Avoid drinking alcohol or using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can worsen the low blood pressure caused by tranylcypromine. Tranylcypromine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.