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warnings and cautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Activation of Mania/Hypomania : May be precipitated by antidepressant treatment in patients with bipolar disorder.Screen patients prior to treatment ( 5.4 ) Hypotension (including syncope) : Monitor patients and adjust tranylcypromine sulfate dosage or concomitant medication as necessary ( 5.5) Hypotension and Hypertension during Anesthesia and Perioperative Care : If possible, discontinue tranylcypromine sulfate prior to elective surgery ( 5.6 ) Hepatitis and Elevated Liver Enzymes : Monitor accordingly ( 5.10 ) 5.1 Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Adolescents and Young Adults In pooled analyses of placebo-controlled trials of antidepressant drugs (SSRIs and other antidepressant classes) that included approximately 77,000 adult patients and 4,500 pediatric patients, the incidence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in antidepressant-treated patients age 24 years and younger was greater than in placebo-treated patients. There was considerable variation in risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among drugs, but there was an increased risk identified in young patients for most drugs studied. There were differences in absolute risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors across the different indications, with the highest incidence in patients with MDD. The drug-placebo differences in the number of cases of suicidal thoughts and behaviors per 1000 patients treated are provided in Table 2. Table 2: Risk Differences of the Number of Patients of Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior in the Pooled Placebo-Controlled Trials of Antidepressants in Pediatric and Adult Patients Age Range Drug-Placebo Difference in Number of Patients of Suicidal Thoughts or Behaviors per 1000 Patients Treated Increases Compared to Placebo <18 years old 14 additional patients 18-24 years old 5 additional patients Decreases Compared to Placebo 25-64 years old 1 fewer patient ≥65 years old 6 fewer patients It is unknown whether the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults extends to longer-term use, i.e., beyond four months. However, there is substantial evidence from placebo-controlled maintenance trials in adults with MDD that antidepressants delay the recurrence of depression and that depression itself is a risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for any indication for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially during the initial few months of drug therapy, and at times of dosage changes. Counsel family members or caregivers of patients to monitor for changes in behavior and to alert the healthcare provider. Consider changing the therapeutic regimen, including possibly discontinuing tranylcypromine sulfate, in patients whose depression is persistently worse, or who are experiencing emergent suicidal thoughts or behaviors. 5.2 Hypertensive Crisis and Hypertension Hypertensive Crisis MAOIs, including tranylcypromine sulfate, have been associated with hypertensive crises caused by the ingestion of foods or beverages with a high concentration of tyramine. In addition, hypertensive reactions and crises may occur with concomitant use of other drugs [see Drug Interactions (7.1)]. Patients with hyperthyroidism may be at greater risk of hypertensive crisis. Signs, Symptoms, and Complications of Hypertensive Crisis: In some patients a hypertensive crisis constitutes a hypertensive emergency, which requires immediate attention to prevent serious complications or fatal outcome. These emergencies are characterized by severe hypertension (e.g., with a blood pressure of more than 180/120 mm Hg) and evidence of organ dysfunction. Symptoms may include occipital headache (which may radiate frontally), palpitations, neck stiffness or soreness, nausea or vomiting, sweating (sometimes with fever or cold, clammy skin), dilated pupils, photophobia, shortness of breath, or confusion. Either tachycardia or bradycardia may be present and may be associated with constricting chest pain. Seizures may also occur. Intracranial bleeding, sometimes fatal, has been reported in association with the increase in blood pressure. Strategies to Reduce the Risk of Hypertensive Crisis: Instruct patients to avoid foods and beverages with high tyramine content while being treated with tranylcypromine sulfate and for 2 weeks after stopping tranylcypromine sulfate [ see Drug Interactions (7.2)] . Careful evaluation of the benefits and risks of tranylcypromine sulfate therapy is necessary in patients with: Hypertension or confirmed or suspected cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disorders that constitute an increased risk for complications from severe hypertension, and A history of headaches that can mask the occurrence of headaches as prodromal of a hypertensive crisis. In all patients taking tranylcypromine sulfate, monitor blood pressure closely to detect evidence of increased blood pressure. Full reliance should not be placed on blood pressure readings. The patient should also be observed for other signs and symptoms of hypertensive crisis. Treatment of Hypertensive Crisis: Therapy should be interrupted with symptoms that may be prodromal or a manifestation of a hypertensive crisis, such as palpitations or headaches, and patients should be evaluated immediately. Discontinue tranylcypromine sulfate, other drugs, foods or beverages suspected to contribute to the hypertensive crisis immediately [see Drug Interactions (7.1, 7.2)]. Patients with severe elevations in blood pressure (e.g., more than 180/120 mm Hg) with evidence of organ dysfunction require immediate blood pressure reduction. Fever should be managed by means of external cooling. However, additional measures to control the causes of hyperthermia (psychomotor agitation, increased neuromuscular activity, persistent seizures) may be required. Hypertension Clinically significant increases in blood pressure have also been reported after the administration of MAOIs, including tranylcypromine sulfate, in patients not ingesting tyramine-rich foods or beverages. Assess blood pressure before prescribing tranylcypromine sulfate and closely monitor blood pressure in all patients taking tranylcypromine sulfate. 5.3 Serotonin Syndrome The development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome has been reported with MAOIs when used concomitantly with other serotonergic drugs. Such drugs include SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, triptans, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, St. John’s wort, S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM-e), and other MAOIs used to treat nonpsychiatric disorders (such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue). Manifestations of the serotonin syndrome may include mental status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, delirium, coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, dizziness, diaphoresis, flushing, hyperthermia; with possible rapid fluctuations of vital signs), neuromuscular symptoms (e.g., tremor, rigidity, myoclonus, hyper-reflexia, incoordination), seizures, and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Fatal outcome of serotonin syndrome has been reported, including in patients who had been treated with tranylcypromine sulfate. In some cases of an interaction between tranylcypromine sulfate and SSRIs or SNRIs, the features of the syndrome resembled neuroleptic malignant syndrome. The concomitant use, or use in rapid succession, of tranylcypromine sulfate with other serotonergic drugs is contraindicated. However, there may be circumstances when treatment with other serotonergic substances (such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue) is necessary and cannot be delayed. In such cases, tranylcypromine sulfate must be discontinued as soon as possible before initiating treatment with the other agent. Treatment with tranylcypromine sulfate and any concomitant serotonergic agents should be discontinued immediately if the above events occur, and supportive symptomatic treatment should be initiated. 5.4 Activation of Mania/Hypomania In patients with bipolar disorder, treating a depressive episode with tranylcypromine sulfate or another antidepressant may precipitate a mixed/manic episode. Prior to initiating treatment with tranylcypromine sulfate, screen patients for any personal or family history of bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania. 5.5 Hypotension Hypotension, including postural hypotension, has been observed during therapy with tranylcypromine sulfate. At doses above 30 mg daily, postural hypotension is a major adverse reaction and may result in syncope. Symptoms of postural hypotension are seen most commonly, but not exclusively, in patients with pre-existing hypertension. Blood pressure usually returns rapidly to pretreatment levels upon discontinuation of tranylcypromine sulfate. Dosage increases should be made more gradually in patients with a tendency toward hypotension and/or postural hypotension (e.g., elderly patients) [ see Dosage and Administration (2.2) and Use in Specific Populations (8.5)] . Such patients should be closely observed for postural changes in blood pressure throughout treatment. Also, when tranylcypromine sulfate is used concomitantly with other agents known to cause hypotension, the possibility of additive hypotensive effects should be considered [see Drug Interactions (7.1)] . Postural hypotension may be relieved by having patients lie down until blood pressure returns to normal. 5.6 Hypotension and Hypertension during Anesthesia and Perioperative Care It is recommended that tranylcypromine sulfate be discontinued at least 10 days prior to elective surgery. If this is not possible, for general anesthesia, regional and local anesthesia, and perioperative care avoid the use of agents that are contraindicated for concomitant use with tranylcypromine sulfate. Carefully consider the risk of agents and techniques that increase the risk for hypotension (e.g., epidural or spinal anesthesia) or other adverse reactions to tranylcypromine sulfate (e.g., hypertension associated with the use of vasoconstrictors in local anesthetics). 5.7 Need for Emergency Treatment with Contraindicated Drugs If in the absence of therapeutic alternatives emergency treatment with a contraindicated product (e.g., linezolid, intravenous methylene blue, direct-acting sympathomimetic drugs such as epinephrine) becomes necessary and cannot be delayed, discontinue tranylcypromine sulfate as soon as possible before initiating treatment with the other product and monitor closely for adverse reactions [see Drug Interactions (7.1)] 5.8 Discontinuation Syndrome Abrupt discontinuation or dosage reduction of tranylcypromine sulfate has been associated with the appearance of new symptoms that include dizziness, nausea, headache, irritability, insomnia, diarrhea, anxiety, fatigue, abnormal dreams, and hyperhidrosis. In general, discontinuation events occurred more frequently with longer duration of therapy. There have been spontaneous reports of adverse reactions occurring upon discontinuation of MAOIs, particularly when abrupt, including dysphoric mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances (e.g. paresthesia, such as electric shock sensations), anxiety, confusion, headache, lethargy, emotional lability, insomnia, hypomania, tinnitus, and seizures. While these reactions are generally self-limiting, there have been reports of prolonged discontinuation symptoms. Patients should be monitored for these symptoms when discontinuing treatment with tranylcypromine sulfate. A gradual reduction in the dose rather than abrupt cessation is recommended whenever possible [ see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Adverse Reactions (6)] . 5.9 Risk of Clinically Significant Adverse Reactions due to Persistence of MAO Inhibition after Discontinuation Although excretion of tranylcypromine sulfate is rapid, inhibition of MAO may persist up to 10 days following discontinuation. This should be taken into account when considering the use of potentially interacting substances or the consumption of tyramine-rich food or beverages [ see Drug Interactions (7.2)] , or when interpreting adverse reactions observed after discontinuation of tranylcypromine sulfate. Care should be taken to differentiate symptoms of persistent MAO inhibition from withdrawal symptoms [ see Drug Abuse and Dependence (9.3)] . 5.10 Hepatotoxicity Hepatitis and elevated aminotransferases have been reported in association with tranylcypromine sulfate administration. Patients should be monitored accordingly. Tranylcypromine Sulfate should be discontinued in patients who develop signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity. Sedation has occurred in tranylcypromine sulfate-treated patients with cirrhosis. Patients with cirrhosis receiving tranylcypromine sulfate should be monitored for possible increased risks of central nervous system adverse reactions, such as excessive drowsiness. 5.11 Seizures Seizures have been reported with tranylcypromine sulfate withdrawal after abuse, and with overdose. Patients at risk for seizures should be monitored accordingly. 5.12 Hypoglycemia in Diabetic Patients Some MAOIs have contributed to hypoglycemic episodes in diabetic patients receiving insulin or other blood-glucose-lowering agents. Monitor blood glucose in patients receiving both tranylcypromine sulfate and blood-glucose-lowering agents. A reduction of the dosage of such agents may be necessary [see Drug Interactions (7.1)] 5.13 Aggravation of Coexisting Symptoms of Depression Tranylcypromine sulfate may aggravate coexisting symptoms in depression, such as anxiety and agitation. 5.14 Adverse Effects on the Ability to Drive and Operate Machinery Some tranylcypromine sulfate adverse reactions (e.g., hypotension, faintness, drowsiness, confusion, disorientation) can impair a patient’s ability to operate machinery or use an automobile. Patients should be cautioned about operating hazardous machinery, including automobiles, until they are reasonably certain that tranylcypromine sulfate therapy does not impair their ability to engage in such activities.