Tranylcypromine

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

- A drop in blood pressure that occurs when going from lying down to sitting or standing, which results in dizziness and lightheadedness (postural hypotension)
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
- Weakness and fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Disturbances of the gut such as constipation, nausea or vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Involuntary muscle movements such as tremors or twitching
- Excessive fluid retention in the body tissues, resulting in swelling (oedema)
- Sexual problems
- Headache
- Nervousness
- Pins and needles sensations
- Sweating
- Increased appetite and weight gain
- Difficulty passing urine
- Blood disorders
- Abnormal heart beats (arrhythmias)
- Liver disorders
- Dangerous increase in blood pressure (hypertensive crisis)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

Interactions between tranylcypromine and other medicines can occur for up to two weeks after stopping tranylcypromine therapy.

Tranylcypromine should not be taken at the same time as, or until at least 14 days after stopping any of the following medicines:

- atomoxetine
- bupropion
- buspirone
- carbamazepine
- mirtazapine
- other monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressants (MAOIs, eg isocarboxazid)
- reboxetine (tranylcypromine should not be started until at least one week after stopping reboxetine)
- selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor antidepressants, eg paroxetine, fluoxetine (tranylcypromine should not be started until at least one week after stopping fluvoxamine, paroxetine, citalopram or escitalopram and five weeks after stopping fluoxetine)
- serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, eg venlafaxine, duloxetine (tranylcypromine should not be started until at least one week after stopping venlafaxine and at least five days after stopping duloxetine)
- tricyclic antidepressants, eg amitriptyline (tranylcypromine should not be started until three weeks after stopping clomipramine or imipramine).

Conversely, the medicines listed above should not be started until at least 14 days after stopping tranylcypromine.

Side effects may be more common if this medicine is used in combination with the herbal remedy for depression St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum). This combination is not recommended.

People who are taking this medicine should not take any of the following drugs, as the combination could cause a dangerous increase in blood pressure or other serious side effects:

- amphetamines
- cocaine
- decongestants such as ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine (these are found in many non-prescription cough, cold and flu remedies)
- dextromethorphan (a non-prescription cough medicine)
- ecstasy (MDMA)
- levodopa
- methylphenidate
- pethidine
- rasagiline (phenelzine should not be started until at least two weeks after stopping rasagiline)
- tetrabenazine.

There may be an increased risk of a rare side effect called the serotonin syndrome if any of the following medicines, which also enhance the activity of serotonin in the central nervous system, are taken with tranylcypromine. These should be avoided in people taking this medicine:

- sibutramine
- tramadol
- triptans for migraine, eg sumatriptan, zolmitriptan
- tryptophan.

This medicine may enhance the blood pressure lowering effect of medicines used to treat high blood pressure (antihypertensives). If you are taking this medicine with medicines for high blood pressure you should let your doctor know if you feel dizzy, as your doses may need adjusting.

If this medicine makes you feel drowsy, this effect may be increased if you also take other medicines that can cause drowsiness, for example sedating antihistamines or sleeping tablets.

<<Go To Page 1

The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved