tranylcypromine sulfate at a glance
Medicine class
Irreversible, non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
Licensed role
Major depressive episodes in adults after other antidepressant types have failed.
Food precautions
Tyramine-rich, fermented, aged or spoiled foods can cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure and must be avoided as instructed.
Administration
Swallow the film-coated tablets whole with water.
What is tranylcypromine sulfate used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Major depressive episodes in adults when treatment with other types of antidepressant medication has failed.
How does tranylcypromine sulfate work?
Tranylcypromine irreversibly inhibits monoamine oxidase A and B, enzymes that break down chemical messengers including serotonin and noradrenaline. Its enzyme inhibition persists beyond its short plasma half-life, contributing to important food, medicine and switching precautions.
tranylcypromine sulfate preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 10 mg
How to take tranylcypromine sulfate
Take tranylcypromine exactly as prescribed and swallow tablets whole with water. Do not change or stop treatment yourself. Follow the supplied MAOI diet advice, check prescription and non-prescription products with a pharmacist, and tell doctors, dentists and anaesthetists that you take an MAOI.
Avoid tyramine-rich, aged, fermented or spoiled foods and drinks as instructed.
Do not drive or operate machinery if dizziness, sleepiness or impaired concentration occurs.
Withdrawal should be gradual and prescriber-led.
tranylcypromine sulfate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Difficulty sleeping or disturbed sleep
- Dizziness or light-headedness when standing
- Headache
- Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Blurred vision or palpitations
- Tiredness, fluid retention or weight gain
Get urgent medical advice
- Symptoms of dangerously high blood pressure, especially a severe throbbing headache, neck stiffness, chest pain, sweating or marked palpitations
- Severe allergic reaction with swelling or breathing difficulty
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviour
- Jaundice or other symptoms suggesting liver injury
- High temperature, agitation, confusion, muscle rigidity or twitching suggesting a severe interaction
- Unusual bruising, bleeding, fever, pallor or severe tiredness suggesting a blood disorder
tranylcypromine sulfate in pregnancy
Information about tranylcypromine in pregnancy is very limited. The selected product states it should not be used during pregnancy unless the prescriber considers it essential. Anyone pregnant or planning pregnancy should discuss treatment promptly with their mental-health and maternity teams rather than stopping suddenly.
tranylcypromine sulfate while breastfeeding
Tranylcypromine passes into breast milk and a risk to the infant cannot be excluded. A specialist should weigh the benefits of treatment and breastfeeding and decide whether breastfeeding or tranylcypromine should be discontinued.
tranylcypromine sulfate interactions
Tranylcypromine has numerous potentially serious interactions. Check every prescription, pharmacy medicine and supplement before use.
SSRIs, SNRIs and other serotonergic antidepressants
Combining or switching without an appropriate specialist plan can cause severe serotonin toxicity.
Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants
The combination can cause severe hypertension and dangerous central nervous system excitation.
Decongestants and other sympathomimetics
Products containing agents such as pseudoephedrine, ephedrine or phenylephrine may trigger a hypertensive crisis.
Common questions about tranylcypromine sulfate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is tranylcypromine sulfate an MAOI?
Yes. It is an irreversible, non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressant.
Why is tranylcypromine sulfate prescribed after other antidepressants?
Its UK licence covers major depressive episodes in adults when other antidepressant types have failed, and its extensive interaction precautions require specialist oversight.
Which foods should I avoid with tranylcypromine sulfate?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.