Consumer Drug Information

Parnate

Generic Name: Tranylcypromine (tran-ill-SIP-row-meen)
Brand Name: Parnate

Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teenagers, and young adults. However, depression and certain other mental problems may also increase the risk of suicide. Talk with the patient's doctor to be sure that the benefits of using Parnate outweigh the risks.

Family and caregivers must closely watch patients who take Parnate . It is important to keep in close contact with the patient's doctor. Tell the doctor right away if the patient has symptoms like worsened depression, suicidal thoughts, or changes in behavior. Discuss any questions with the patient's doctor.

Parnate is used for:

Treating depression. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Parnate is a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor. It works by blocking the action of the enzyme (monoamine oxidase) that breaks down the body's mood-elevating chemicals (dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin). This produces an increase in the activity of these mood-elevating chemicals.

Do NOT use Parnate if:

you are allergic to any ingredient in Parnate
you have a history of stroke, heart disease, congestive heart failure, a brain disease, headaches, liver disease or abnormal liver function tests, high blood pressure, or pheochromocytoma
you will be having surgery
you eat foods with a high tyramine content (eg, aged cheeses, sour cream, red wines, beer, bologna, pepperoni, salami, summer sausage, pickled herring, liver, meat prepared with tenderizers, canned figs, raisins, bananas, avocados, soy sauce, fava beans, yeast extracts), drink alcohol, or consume large quantities of caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate, or cola)
you are taking an amphetamine (eg, methylphenidate), an anesthetic, an anorexiant (eg, dexfenfluramine), an antihistamine (eg, loratadine), apraclonidine, brimonidine, bupropion, buspirone, carbamazepine, certain herbal products (eg, ma huang), cyclobenzaprine, dextromethorphan, dibenzazepine, a diuretic (eg, hydrochlorothiazide), entacapone, indoramin, medicines for Parkinson disease (eg, levodopa), meperidine, a narcotic (eg, codeine), nefazodone, papaverine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine, citalopram), a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRIs) (eg, duloxetine), a sedative, sibutramine, a sympathomimetic (eg, methylphenidate, pseudoephedrine), tolcapone, tramadol, a tricyclic antidepressant (eg, amitriptyline, doxepin), a triptan (eg, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan), or another MAO inhibitor (eg, phenelzine)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Parnate :

Some medical conditions may interact with Parnate . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have asthma, diabetes, bipolar mood disorder, bronchitis, an irregular heartbeat, diabetes, epilepsy, an overactive thyroid, Parkinson disease, the blood disease porphyria, kidney problems, heart problems, or a history of suicidal thoughts or behaviors
if you have a history of substance or alcohol abuse or dependence

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Parnate . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Many prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, used for diabetes, depression, headaches, pain, cold and flu, high blood pressure, seizures) may interact with Parnate and increase the risk of serious, life-threatening side effects

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Parnate may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Parnate :

Use Parnate as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Parnate comes with an additional patient leaflet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully and reread it each time you get Parnate refilled.
Parnate may be taken with or without food.
Continue to take Parnate even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
If you miss a dose of Parnate , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Parnate .

Important safety information:

Parnate may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Parnate . Using Parnate alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
Do not drink alcohol while you are using Parnate . Avoid taking other medicines that cause drowsiness (eg, sedatives, tranquilizers) while taking Parnate . Parnate will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants.
Parnate may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. Alcohol, hot weather, exercise, and fever can increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness.
Children, teenagers, and young adults who take Parnate may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch all patients who take Parnate closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.
Parnate may cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Parnate . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period.
Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Parnate .
Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or nonprescription, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Avoid large amounts of caffeine-containing foods and beverages, such as coffee, tea, cocoa, cola drinks, and chocolate.
Parnate may cause serious increases in blood pressure if certain foods are eaten. Avoid eating foods such as aged cheeses, sour cream, red wines, beer, bologna, pepperoni, salami, summer sausage, pickled herring, liver, meat prepared with tenderizers, canned figs, raisins, bananas, avocados, soy sauce, fava beans, or yeast extracts. Obtain a complete list of foods and beverages from your doctor or pharmacist.
Diabetes patients - Parnate may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.
Lab tests, including blood pressure monitoring, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
Use Parnate with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially difficulty sleeping and enlarged prostate.
Use Parnate with extreme caution in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed. CHILDREN taking Parnate may be at increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Parnate during pregnancy. Parnate is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Parnate , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

If you suddenly stop taking Parnate , you may experience WITHDRAWAL symptoms, including restlessness, anxiety, depression, confusion, hallucinations, headache, weakness, and diarrhea.

Possible side effects of Parnate :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Blurred vision; constipation; diarrhea; drowsiness; dry mouth; stomach pain; tremors; upset stomach; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation or anxiety; bizarre behavior; changes in heart rate; chest pain; difficulty sleeping; dilated pupils; dizziness; feelings of irritability and hostility; headache; impulsive behavior or other unusual changes in behavior; nausea; panic attacks; pounding in the chest; sensitivity to sunlight; severe nervousness or anxiety; severe restlessness; sleeplessness; sore or stiff neck; sweating (sometimes with fever or cold, clammy skin); thoughts of suicide; vomiting; worsening feelings of depression.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include confusion; dizziness; drowsiness; excitement; fast heartbeat; flushing; headache; irritability; seizures; sweating; restlessness; weakness.

Proper storage of Parnate :

Store Parnate at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Parnate out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

If you have any questions about Parnate , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Parnate is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Parnate . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: November 5, 2008

Database Edition 08.4.1.002