Tranylcypromine Sulfate is contraindicated:
1. In patients with cerebrovascular defects or cardiovascular disorders
Tranylcypromine Sulfate should not be administered to any patient with a confirmed or suspected cerebrovascular defect or to any patient with cardiovascular disease or hypertension.
2. In the presence of pheochromocytoma
Tranylcypromine Sulfate should not be used in the presence of pheochromocytoma since such tumors secrete pressor substances.
3. In combination with MAO inhibitors or with dibenzazepine-related entities
Tranylcypromine Sulfate should not be administered together or in rapid succession with other MAO inhibitors or with dibenzazepine-related entities. Hypertensive crises or severe convulsive seizures may occur in patients receiving such combinations.
In patients being transferred to Tranylcypromine Sulfate from another MAO inhibitor or from a dibenzazepine-related entity, allow a medication-free interval of at least a week, then initiate Tranylcypromine Sulfate using half the normal starting dosage for at least the first week of therapy. Similarly, at least a week should elapse between the discontinuance of Tranylcypromine Sulfate and the administration of another MAO inhibitor or a dibenzazepine-related entity, or the readministration of Tranylcypromine Sulfate.
The following list includes some other MAO inhibitors, dibenzazepine-related entities and tricyclic antidepressants.
Other MAO Inhibitors| Generic Name | |
|---|
| Furazolidone | |
| Isocarboxazid | |
| Pargyline HCl | |
| Pargyline HCl and methyclothiazide | |
| Phenelzine sulfate | |
| Procarbazine HCl | |
Dibenzazepine-Related and Other Tricyclics| Generic Name | |
| Amitriptyline HCl | |
| Perphenazine and amitriptyline HCl | |
| Clomipramine hydrochloride | |
| Desipramine HCl | |
| Imipramine HCl | |
| Nortriptyline HCl | |
| Protriptyline HCl | |
| Doxepin HCl | |
| Carbamazepine | |
| Cyclobenzaprine HCl | |
| Amoxapine | |
| Maprotiline HCl | |
| Trimipramine maleate | |
4. In combination with bupropion
The concurrent administration of an MAO inhibitor and bupropion hydrochloride is contraindicated. At least 14 days should elapse between discontinuation of an MAO inhibitor and initiation of treatment with bupropion hydrochloride.
5. In combination with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
As a general rule, Tranylcypromine Sulfate should not be administered in combination with any SSRI or SNRI. There have been reports of serious,
sometimes fatal, reactions (including hyperthermia, rigidity, myoclonus, autonomic instability with possible rapid fluctuations of vital signs, and mental status changes that include extreme agitation progressing to delirium and coma) in patients receiving a SSRI (e.g., fluoxetine) or a SNRI (e.g., venlafaxine) in combination with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), and in patients who have recently discontinued a SSRI or SNRI and are then started on an MAOI. Some cases presented with features resembling neuroleptic malignant
syndrome. Therefore SSRIs and SNRIs should not be used in combination with an MAOI, or within 14 days of discontinuing therapy with an MAOI.
Since fluoxetine and its major metabolite have very long elimination half-lives, at least 5 weeks should be allowed after stopping fluoxetine before starting an MAOI.
At least 2 weeks should be allowed after stopping sertraline or paroxetine before starting an MAOI.
At least one week should be allowed after stopping a SNRI (e.g., venlafaxine) before starting a MAOI.
6. In combination with buspirone
Tranylcypromine Sulfate should not be used in combination with buspirone HCl, since several cases of elevated blood pressure have been reported in patients taking MAO inhibitors who were then given buspirone HCl. At least 10 days should elapse between the discontinuation of Tranylcypromine Sulfate and the institution of buspirone HCl.
7. In combination with sympathomimetics
Tranylcypromine Sulfate should not be administered in combination with sympathomimetics, including amphetamines which may be found in many herbal preparations as well as over-the-counter drugs such as cold, hay fever or weight-reducing preparations that contain vasoconstrictors.
During therapy with Tranylcypromine Sulfate, it appears that certain patients are particularly vulnerable to the effects of sympathomimetics when the activity of certain enzymes is inhibited. Use of sympathomimetics and compounds such as guanethidine, methyldopa, reserpine, dopamine, levodopa, and tryptophan with Tranylcypromine Sulfate may precipitate hypertension, headache, and related symptoms. Cerebral hemorrhage may also occur. The combination of MAOIs and tryptophan has been reported to cause behavioral and neurologic syndromes including disorientation, confusion, amnesia, delirium, agitation, hypomanic signs, ataxia, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, shivering, ocular oscillations, and Babinski's signs.
8. In combination with meperidine
Do not use meperidine concomitantly with MAO inhibitors or within 2 or 3 weeks following MAOI therapy. Serious reactions have been precipitated with concomitant use, including coma, severe hypertension or hypotension, severe respiratory depression, convulsions, malignant hyperpyrexia, excitation, peripheral vascular collapse, and death. It is thought that these reactions may be mediated by accumulation of 5-HT (serotonin) consequent to MAO inhibition.
9. In combination with dextromethorphan
The combination of MAO inhibitors and dextromethorphan has been reported to cause brief episodes of psychosis or bizarre behavior.
10. In combination with cheese or other foods with a high tyramine content
When excessive amounts of tyramine are consumed in conjunction with tranylcypromine, or within 2 weeks of stopping treatment, a serious and sometimes fatal hypertensive reaction may occur.
Tyramine occurs naturally in some foods or may occur from the bacterial breakdown of protein in foods which are fermented, aged, or spoiled. Foods that have reliably been shown to contain a high tyramine content and may also have been reported to induce a serious hypertensive reaction when consumed with tranylcypromine are:
- all matured or aged cheeses (note: all cheeses are considered matured or aged except fresh cottage cheese, cream cheese, ricotta, and processed cheese. All non-cheese dairy products can be consumed providing they are fresh)
- all aged, cured or fermented meat, fish, or poultry (note: meat, fish, or poultry that has not undergone aging, curing or fermenting and that is bought fresh, stored correctly and eaten fresh is not contraindicated)
- all fermented soybean products (e.g., soy sauce, miso, fermented tofu)
- sauerkraut
- fava or broad bean pods
- banana peel (but not the pulp)
- concentrated yeast extracts (e.g., Marmite or Vegemite spread)
- all tap/draught beers (note: some bottled beers, including non-alcoholic beer, may also pose a risk).
Patients should be advised to minimize or avoid use of all alcoholic beverages while taking Tranylcypromine Sulfate. Patients should be advised to adhere to the following dietary guidance about eating fresh foods:
Foods may be deliberately aged as part of their processing and these are contraindicated (see list above). Foods may also naturally age over time, even if they are refrigerated. It is therefore extremely important that patients are instructed to buy and eat only fresh foods or those which have been properly frozen. They should avoid eating foods if they are unsure of their storage conditions or freshness and they should be cautious of foods of unknown age or composition even if refrigerated.
The longer food is left to deteriorate and the larger the quantity of food eaten, the greater the potential quantity of tyramine ingested. Where there is any doubt, patients should be advised to either avoid the food or consume it in strict moderation if it is not otherwise contraindicated.
Patients should also be warned that tyramine levels may vary by brand or even batch and a person may absorb different amounts of tyramine from a particular food at different times. Therefore, if they have accidentally consumed a prohibited food on one occasion and not had a reaction, this does not mean that they will not have a serious hypertensive reaction if they consume the same food on a different occasion.
11. In patients undergoing elective surgery
Patients taking Tranylcypromine Sulfate should not undergo elective surgery requiring general anesthesia. Also, they should not be given cocaine or local anesthesia containing sympathomimetic vasoconstrictors. The possible combined hypotensive effects of Tranylcypromine Sulfate and spinal anesthesia should be kept in mind. Tranylcypromine Sulfate should be discontinued at least 10 days prior to elective surgery.