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Tranylcypromine (Monograph)

Brand name: Parnate
Drug class: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
- MAO Inhibitors
- MAOIs
VA class: CN602
Chemical name: (±)-trans-2-Phenylcyclopropylamine sulfate
Molecular formula: (C9H11N)2•H2SO4
CAS number: 13492-01-8

Warning

    Suicidality
  • Antidepressants may increase risk of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults (18–24 years of age) with major depressive disorder and other psychiatric disorders; balance this risk with clinical need. Tranylcypromine is not approved for use in pediatric patients. (See Pediatric Use under Cautions.)

  • In pooled data analyses, risk of suicidality was not increased in adults >24 years of age and apparently was reduced in adults ≥65 years of age with antidepressant therapy compared with placebo.

  • Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with an increased risk of suicide.

  • Appropriately monitor and closely observe all patients who are started on tranylcypromine therapy for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior; involve family members and/or caregivers in this process. (See Worsening of Depression and Suicidality Risk and Pediatric Use under Cautions.)

Introduction

Non-hydrazine derivative, nonselective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor antidepressant; structurally similar to amphetamine.

Uses for Tranylcypromine

Major Depressive Disorder

Treatment of major depressive disorder without melancholia.

Efficacy in major depressive disorder with melancholia (endogenous features) not established.

MAO inhibitors appear particularly effective in treatment of major depressive disorder with atypical features, although other antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs) may initially be used because of their more favorable adverse effect profile.

Because of potential for serious adverse effects and necessity of dietary restrictions, MAO inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine) generally are not used as initial therapy for major depressive disorder, but are reserved for carefully selected patients who can be closely supervised and who have depression refractory to other antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs) or in whom other therapies are contraindicated.

Tranylcypromine Dosage and Administration

General

Administration

Oral Administration

Administer orally in divided doses. Administration earlier in the day (e.g., twice daily in the morning and afternoon) may reduce incidence of insomnia.

Dosage

Available as tranylcypromine sulfate; dosage expressed in terms of tranylcypromine.

Individualize dosage carefully according to individual requirements and tolerance.

Adults

Major Depressive Disorder
Oral

Usual dosage: 30 mg daily, usually given in 2 divided doses in the morning and afternoon. If no signs of therapeutic response appear after a reasonable period (up to 2–3 weeks), may increase dosage in increments of 10 mg daily at 1- to 3-week intervals until optimum therapeutic response or dosage of 60 mg daily is reached.

Dosages >30 mg daily may be associated with an increased frequency and severity of adverse effects. (See Orthostatic Hypotension under Cautions.) May reduce dosage to lower maintenance dosage once adequate response achieved.

Prescribing Limits

Adults

Major Depressive Disorder
Oral

Maximum 60 mg daily.

Cautions for Tranylcypromine

Contraindications

Warnings/Precautions

Warnings

Shares the toxic potentials of other MAO inhibitors; observe the usual precautions and contraindications associated with therapy with these drugs. Should be used only by clinicians who are completely familiar with proper use, potential adverse effects, and associated precautions and contraindications of MAO inhibitors. Fully advise patients about risks, especially hypertensive crisis and suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality), associated with MAO inhibitor therapy.

Worsening of Depression and Suicidality Risk

Possible worsening of depression and/or emergence of suicidal ideation and behavior (suicidality) or unusual changes in behavior in both adult and pediatric patients with major depressive disorder, whether or not they are taking antidepressants; may persist until clinically important remission occurs. However, suicide is a known risk of depression and certain other psychiatric disorders, and these disorders themselves are the strongest predictors of suicide.

Appropriately monitor and closely observe patients receiving tranylcypromine for any reason, particularly during initiation of therapy (i.e., the first few months) and during periods of dosage adjustments. (See Boxed Warning and also see Pediatric Use under Cautions.)

Anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, akathisia, hypomania, and/or mania may be precursors to emerging suicidality. Consider changing or discontinuing therapy in patients whose depression is persistently worse or in those with emerging suicidality or symptoms that might be precursors to worsening depression or suicidality, particularly if severe, abrupt in onset, or not part of patient’s presenting symptoms.

Prescribe in smallest quantity consistent with good patient management to reduce risk of overdosage.

Observe these precautions for patients with psychiatric (e.g., major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder) or nonpsychiatric disorders.

Bipolar Disorder

May unmask bipolar disorder. (See Activation of Mania or Hypomania under Cautions.) Tranylcypromine is not approved for use in treating bipolar depression.

Screen for risk of bipolar disorder by obtaining detailed psychiatric history (e.g., family history of suicide, bipolar disorder, depression) prior to initiating therapy.

Hypertensive Crises

Hypertensive crises, sometimes fatal, are one of the most serious adverse effects associated with MAO inhibitors, including tranylcypromine. Although spontaneous cases reported, most cases occurred following ingestion of foods or beverages containing large amounts of tyramine (i.e., cheese reaction) or when MAO inhibitors were used concomitantly with certain prescription or OTC drugs. (See Specific Drugs and Foods under Interactions and see also Advice to Patients.)

Characterized by occipital headache (which may radiate frontally), palpitation, neck stiffness or soreness, nausea or vomiting, sweating (sometimes with fever or cold, clammy skin), mydriasis and/or visual disturbances (e.g., photophobia). Tachycardia or bradycardia with associated constricting chest pain and dilated pupils and intracranial hemorrhage, sometimes fatal, also reported.

Closely monitor BP in all patients to detect evidence of pressor response; however, full reliance should not be placed on BP determinations alone. Frequently observe patient’s clinical status, particularly for signs and symptoms of hypertension.

If a hypertensive crisis or prodromal signs of hypertensive crisis occur, discontinue MAO inhibitor therapy and immediately institute appropriate therapy to lower BP. Phentolamine considered hypotensive drug of choice for treating MAO inhibitor-induced hypertensive crisis. Manage fever by external cooling. Other symptomatic and supportive measures may be necessary in some patients; however, avoid administration of parenteral reserpine. (See Contraindications under Cautions and see Specific Drugs and Foods under Interactions.)

General Precautions

Activation of Mania or Hypomania

Possible activation of mania and hypomania, particularly in patients with bipolar disorder. (See Bipolar Disorder under Cautions.)

Orthostatic Hypotension

Possible hypotension. Postural hypotension symptoms most commonly observed in patients with preexisting hypertension. BP generally returns rapidly to pretreatment levels upon drug discontinuance.

At dosages >30 mg daily, postural hypotension is an important adverse effect and may cause syncope. In patients who show some hypotensive response during initiation of MAO inhibitor therapy, increase dosage more gradually. May relieve postural hypotension by having patient lie down until BP returns to normal.

Myelography

Avoid concurrent use of drugs that lower seizure threshold, including MAO inhibitors, and metrizamide (no longer commercially available in US). Discontinue tranylcypromine ≥48 hours prior to myelography; do not resume therapy for ≥24–48 hours post-procedure. (See Specific Drugs and Foods under Interactions.)

Cardiovascular Effects

MAO inhibitors may suppress anginal pain that would otherwise serve as a warning sign of myocardial ischemia; warn patients with angina pectoris or coronary artery disease against overexertion.

Endocrine and Metabolic Effects

MAO inhibitors may cause hypoglycemic episodes in diabetic patients receiving insulin or oral antidiabetic agents; use tranylcypromine with caution in diabetic patients receiving these drugs concurrently.

Use MAO inhibitors with caution in patients with hyperthyroidism, since these patients have an increased sensitivity to pressor amines.

Nervous System Effects

Possible aggravation of coexisting depressive symptoms, such as anxiety and agitation. (See Worsening of Depression and Suicidality Risk under Cautions.)

Overstimulation, including increased anxiety, agitation, and manic symptoms, may occur and usually indicates excessive therapeutic action; consider tranylcypromine dosage reduction or addition of antipsychotic (e.g., phenothiazine) therapy. (See Specific Drugs and Foods under Interactions.)

Seizures

MAO inhibitors have a variable effect on the seizure threshold; use with caution in patients with a seizure disorder.

Dependence and Withdrawal of Therapy

Drug dependence reported in patients receiving tranylcypromine dosages substantially in excess of usual therapeutic range; some of these patients had a history of previous substance abuse. Withdrawal symptoms reported include restlessness, anxiety, depression, confusion, hallucinations, headache, weakness, and diarrhea.

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Category C.

Lactation

Distributes into milk. Caution if used in nursing women.

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients not established.

FDA warns that a greater risk of suicidal thinking or behavior (suicidality) occurred during first few months of antidepressant treatment (4%) compared with placebo (2%) in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or other psychiatric disorders based on pooled analyses of 24 short-term, placebo-controlled trials of 9 antidepressant drugs (SSRIs and others). However, a more recent meta-analysis of 27 placebo-controlled trials of 9 antidepressants (SSRIs and others) in patients <19 years of age with major depressive disorder, OCD, or non-OCD anxiety disorders suggests that the benefits of antidepressant therapy in treating these conditions may outweigh the risks of suicidal behavior or suicidal ideation. No suicides occurred in these pediatric trials.

Carefully consider these findings when assessing potential benefits and risks of tranylcypromine in a child or adolescent for any clinical use. (See Worsening of Depression and Suicidality Risk under Cautions.)

Geriatric Use

Clinical experience with MAO inhibitors has not identified any differences in responses between geriatric and younger adults.

In pooled data analyses, a reduced risk of suicidality was observed in adults ≥65 years of age with antidepressant therapy compared with placebo. (See Boxed Warning and also see Worsening of Depression and Suicidality Risk under Cautions.)

Possible increased morbidity during or following episodes of hypertension or malignant hyperthermia; geriatric patients have less compensatory reserve to cope with any serious adverse reaction.

Use with caution.

Hepatic Impairment

Contraindicated in patients with history of hepatic disease or abnormal liver function test results.

Renal Impairment

Possible accumulation of tranylcypromine in plasma; use with caution.

Common Adverse Effects

Adverse nervous system effects (e.g., insomnia, dizziness, headache), GI effects (e.g., dry mouth, anorexia, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation), cardiovascular effects (e.g., orthostatic hypotension, hypertension, tachycardia, peripheral edema, palpitation), GU effects (e.g., impotence, delayed ejaculation, urinary retention), blurred vision, chills, weight gain.

Drug Interactions

Drugs Associated with Serotonin Syndrome

Potential pharmacologic interaction (serotonin syndrome) with serotonergic agents. Caution generally advised. (See Specific Drugs and Foods under Interactions.)

Specific Drugs and Foods

Drug or Food

Interaction

Comments

Alcohol

May potentiate action of alcohol

Possible hypertensive crisis with tyramine-containing alcoholic beverages (e.g., Chianti wine, beer, liqueurs)

Concomitant use contraindicated

Anesthetics

General anesthetics: Possible exaggeration of hypotensive and CNS depressant effects

Local anesthesia with cocaine or local anesthetics that contain sympathomimetic vasoconstrictors: Possible hypertension

Spinal anesthesia: Possible potentiation of the hypotensive effect of local anesthetics

For elective surgery, discontinue tranylcypromine for ≥10 days prior to elective surgery with general anesthetics; for emergency surgery, carefully adjust dosage of general anesthetics

Local anesthesia with cocaine or local anesthetics that contain sympathomimetic vasoconstrictors: Avoid concomitant use

Spinal anesthesia: Use with caution

Antidepressants, SNRIs (e.g., duloxetine, venlafaxine)

Potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome

Concomitant use contraindicated

Allow at least 5 or 7 days to elapse between discontinuance of duloxetine or venlafaxine, respectively, and initiation of tranylcypromine and at least 2 weeks between discontinuance of tranylcypromine and initiation of duloxetine or venlafaxine

Antidepressants, SSRIs (e.g., citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline)

Potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)

Concomitant use contraindicated

Allow at least 2 weeks to elapse between discontinuance of tranylcypromine and initiation of an SSRI, and vice versa

Allow at least 5 weeks to elapse between discontinuance of fluoxetine and initiation of tranylcypromine

Antidepressants, tricyclic (TCAs) (e.g., amitriptyline, desipramine, imipramine, nortriptyline, protriptyline)

Potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome

Concomitant use contraindicated

Allow at least 1–2 weeks to elapse when switching to or from these drugs

Antidiabetic agents, oral

Possible hypoglycemic episodes

Use with caution

Antihypertensive agents

Potential marked hypotensive effect

Generally should avoid concomitant use

Bupropion

Possible enhanced acute toxicity of bupropion

Concurrent administration is contraindicated; at least 2 weeks should elapse between discontinuance of tranylcypromine and initiation of bupropion

Buspirone

Elevated BP reported with concomitant use; possible serotonin syndrome

Concomitant use contraindicated

Allow at least 10 days to elapse between discontinuance of tranylcypromine and initiation of buspirone

Caffeine

May precipitate hypertensive crisis if taken in excessive quantities

Concomitant use of excessive quantities of caffeine contraindicated

Carbamazepine

Hypertensive crises or severe seizures may occur; possible serotonin syndrome

Concomitant use contraindicated

Allow at least 1–2 weeks to elapse between discontinuance of tranylcypromine and initiation of carbamazepine and vice versa

CNS depressants (e.g., opiate analgesics)

May potentiate the action of CNS depressants

Concomitant use contraindicated

Cyclobenzaprine

Possible hypertensive crises or severe seizures

Concomitant use contraindicated

Allow at least 1–2 weeks to elapse between discontinuance of tranylcypromine and initiation of cyclobenzaprine and vice versa

Dextromethorphan

Brief episodes of psychosis or bizarre behavior reported; possible serotonin syndrome

Concomitant use contraindicated

Disulfiram

Delirium reported in humans; severe toxicity, including seizures and death, reported during concurrent administration in animals in 1 study but no adverse interactions reported in other animal studies

Use with caution

Diuretics

Potential marked hypotensive effect

Generally should avoid concomitant use

Foods and beverages, tyramine-containing (e.g., cheese, sour cream, Chianti wine, sherry, beer, liqueurs, pickled herring, anchovies, caviar, liver, canned figs, dried fruits, bananas, raspberries, overripe fruit, chocolate, soy sauce, sauerkraut, fava beans, yeast extracts, yogurt, dry sausage, meat extracts or meat prepared with tenderizers)

Serious, sometimes fatal hypertensive reactions (e.g., palpitation, headache, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, diaphoresis) reported

Avoid foods and beverages with high tyramine content (e.g., cheese)

Consult specialized references on food constituents or dietician for specific information on tyramine content of foods and beverages

Guanethidine

Possible severe pressor response

Concomitant use contraindicated

Insulin

Possible hypoglycemic episodes

Use with caution

Levodopa-carbidopa

Potential for hypertension, headache, hyperexcitability, and related symptoms

Concomitant use contraindicated

Discontinue tranylcypromine ≥2 weeks prior to initiation of levodopa

MAO inhibitors (e.g., isocarboxazid, phenelzine, transdermal selegiline)

Hypertensive crises or severe seizures may occur with concomitant administration

Concomitant use contraindicated

Allow at least 1 week to elapse between discontinuance of another MAO inhibitor and initiation/re-initiation of tranylcypromine, or vice versa

Meperidine

Severe, generally immediate reactions, including excitation, sweating, rigidity, respiratory depression, seizures, hypertension or hypotension, coma, and death, suggestive of serotonin syndrome reported

Concomitant use contraindicated

Allow at least 2–3 weeks to elapse between discontinuance of tranylcypromine and administration of meperidine

Methyldopa

Potential for hypertension, headache, hyperexcitability, and related symptoms

Concomitant use contraindicated

Metrizamide (no longer commercially available in US)

Possible increased risk of seizures

Discontinue tranylcypromine ≥48 hours prior to myelography; do not resume therapy for ≥24–48 hours post-procedure

Modafinil

Acute dyskinesia, confusion, and hyperthermia reported during concurrent administration; possible increased dopaminergic and serotonergic activity

Phenothiazines

Possible additive hypotensive effects

Reserpine

Possible severe pressor response

Concomitant use contraindicated (see Hypertensive Crises under Cautions)

Sympathomimetic agents (e.g., amphetamine, dopamine, OTC cold, hay fever, or weight-reducing preparations)

Possible hypertensive crisis and serotonin syndrome

Concomitant use contraindicated

Tryptophan

Possible behavioral and neurological symptoms suggestive of serotonin syndrome

Concomitant use contraindicated

Tranylcypromine Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Bioavailability

Rapidly absorbed following single-dose (20 mg), oral administration, with peak plasma tranylcypromine concentrations of approximately 110 ng/mL (range: 65–190 ng/mL) achieved within approximately 1.5 hours (range: 0.7–3.5 hours). GI absorption demonstrates interindividual variation and may be biphasic in some individuals.

Onset

Pharmacologic effects of MAO inhibitors are cumulative; onset of pharmacologic action of tranylcypromine is more rapid than that of hydrazine-derivative MAO inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine). Antidepressant effect usually evident within 2 days–3 weeks.

Duration

Inhibition of MAO may persist up to 10 days following drug discontinuance.

Distribution

Extent

Crosses placenta in rats. Distributes into human milk.

Elimination

Metabolism

Rapidly and extensively metabolized following oral administration.

Elimination Route

Excretion is rapid, occurring within 24 hours after drug discontinuance; however, urinary tryptamine concentrations, which are used to measure MAO activity, return to normal within 72–120 hours.

Half-life

Elimination half-life averages 2.5 hours (range: 1.5–3.2 hours).

Stability

Storage

Oral

Tablets

Well closed, light-resistant containers at 20–25°C (may be exposed to 15–30°C).

Actions

Advice to Patients

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.

Tranylcypromine Sulfate

Routes

Dosage Forms

Strengths

Brand Names

Manufacturer

Oral

Tablets, film-coated

10 mg (of tranylcypromine)

Parnate

GlaxoSmithKline

Tranylcypromine Sulfate

Par

AHFS DI Essentials™. © Copyright 2024, Selected Revisions July 1, 2008. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

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