Take Parnate exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The usual starting dose of Parnate is one 10 mg tablet taken twice a day. Parnate tablets are usually taken in the morning and again mid-afternoon. It is better if you take your tablets at the same times each day. You should continue to take your medicine even if you do not feel better, as it may take a number of weeks for your medicine to work. Do not use the medication if you are allergic to Tranylcypromine or any other ingredients in the medication, have high blood pressure or heart disease, have ever had a stroke or any other kind of brain disease, have liver disease or blood disorder, have a history of frequent headaches, have a tumor of adrenal gland, are receiving any other antidepressant medication. Parnate may interact with medications such as other antidepressants, like other MAOIs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) and certain tricyclic antidepressants, appetite suppressants such as amphetamines, cold or any hay fever medicines (including nose drops or sprays), cough suppressant such as dextromethorphan, levodopa and other treatments for Parkinson's disease, herbal preparations, other drugs that affect serotonin such as pethidine and tryptophan, medications which lower blood pressure, including guanethidine, reserpine, methyldopa, narcotics and barbiturates. Before taking Parnate, inform your doctor if you have any medical conditions including a history of stroke, liver disease, blood disorders, kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy, or overactive thyroid gland, have or ever had recurrent or frequent headaches, are taking or have recently taken antidepressants, are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or are beyond the age of 60 years.
Parnate may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or light-headedness. Do not drive or operate machinery in case you feel any of these side effects. Certain foods and drinks must be avoided during treatment with Parnate and for two weeks after stopping treatment. Parnate reacts with a chemical, tyramine, found in various foods, which can cause dangerously high blood pressure. Avoid:
• Matured or aged cheeses
• Aged, cured or fermented meat, fish or poultry
• Fermented soybean products, such as soy sauce
• Sauerkraut
• Fava or broad bean pods
• Banana peel (but not the pulp)
• Concentrated yeast extracts
• All tap/draught beers
• Alcoholic beverages