Tranylcypromine - oral

Tranylcypromine is used to treat depression.

Take Tranylcypromine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

You may take Tranylcypromine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.

This medicine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue to take this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed otherwise, as stopping it suddenly could worsen your condition.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.

Alert your doctor if you have the following:

- heart disease
- history of headaches
- history of liver disease
- pheochromocytoma (a tumour of the adrenal gland)
as Tranylcypromine may not be suitable for you.

Do not take Tranylcypromine if you are taking or have taken medicines for cough, mood disorder and heart disease. Please see the section “Can I take this with other medicines?” below for more information.

Inform your doctor if you have:

- a history of epilepsy (seizures or fits)
- blood disorder
- diabetes
- history of drug and alcohol abuse

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

For as long as you are taking Tranylcypromine, you may need to have regular blood tests to check your body's response to the medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have blood tests.

If you are going for an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking Tranylcypromine.

What lifestyle changes should I make to cope with depression?

Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet will help increase energy and hormones in the body such as happy hormones that minimize mood swings. Get enough sleep, as lack of sleep may cause irritability, moodiness, sadness, and tiredness.

Tranylcypromine may cause drowsiness, dizziness and blurred vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.

This medicine may cause your blood pressure to fall suddenly when you get up from a sitting or lying down position and you may feel giddy. To minimise this problem, stand up slowly.

Other common side effects include any of the following: constipation, diarrhoea, nausea, stomach pain, changes in sexual drive, difficulty sleeping, rashes, headache, hair loss and dry mouth.

Tranylcypromine may cause a serious side effect affecting your blood pressure. If you have the following symptoms: headache that spreads to the front, irregular heartbeat, neck stiffness, nausea or vomiting, sweating that may be accompanied with fever, enlarged pupils and sensitivity to sunlight, alert your doctor immediately.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

- tremors
- numbness or tingling sensation in the hands and feet
- unusual bleeding or bruising and frequent and persistent sore throat with fever
- changes in mood or behaviour (being too depressed, agitated, or having thoughts of self-harm)

Inform your doctor if any of these side effectsdo not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Do not take Tranylcyclopromine with the following medicines:

- other monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs (medicines for depression) e.g. phenelzine
- dextromethorphan ( cough medicine)
- buspirone (medicine for sleep disorder)
- other medicines for depression e.g. fluoxetine, paroxetine, venlafexine, amitriptyline, imipramine
- carbamazepine (medicine for epilepsy)

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

- morphine (a painkiller)
- medicines used to treat diabetes e.g. tolbutamide, glipizide, insulin injections
- medicines used to control high blood pressure e.g. acebutolol, atenolol
- other medicines for sleep disorder e.g. amobarbital, pentobarbital
- levodopa (medicine to treat Parkinson's disease)

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Tranylcypromine.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol and high protein food that has been processed by aging, fermentation, pickling or smoking such as cheese, beer, wine, yeast spreads such as Marmite, or soya sauce. Also, avoid that are high in tyramine such as fava beans, broad bean pods, certain pickles such as sauerkraut. Do not consume excessive amounts of chocolate, tea and coffee. Ask your doctor about the types of food you should avoid.

Store in a cool, dry place, protected from light, and away from the reach of children.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.