Parnate Withdrawal and Detox
Patients should not take Parnate if they have taken other antidepressants within the last 14 days. Medications that act on serotonin can compound the effects of the drug and result in serotonin syndrome. This is a serious medical condition that can lead to toxicity and psychosis. Tell your doctor if you have a history of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease. Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also avoid using MAO inhibitors. Tranylcypromine passes through the placenta and umbilical cord. Exposure to Parnate in the womb can result in birth defects. Tranylcypromine also becomes present in breast milk during lactation.
Tranylcypromine has fewer withdrawal symptoms when compared to most other types of antidepressants. However, symptoms can be severe when discontinuation is not gradual. These can include headache, malaise, anxiety, motor disturbances, and insomnia.
In general, normal treatment with tranylcypromine does not result in cravings for the drug upon cessation of use, except for at high doses well above what is commonly prescribed. Parnate can be stimulating for many patients, and taking larger doses can result in an amphetamine-like effect, including undesirable withdrawal symptoms similar to those experienced by amphetamine users. Such symptoms can be easily avoided by following the prescribed dose and steadily reducing doses over time.
If you accidentally miss a dose of tranylcypromine, take another dose as soon as you realize if it’s within a few hours of your normal dose time. If more time than this has elapsed, it’s best to wait until your next scheduled treatment to avoid spiking serotonin levels. Missing a dose of Parnate is not likely to trigger a rapid onset of discontinuation syndrome.
Discontinuation of antidepressants is different from those of recreational drugs because they do not result in cravings for the drug at normal doses. In fact, tricyclics are often used as an adjunct treatment for depression to individuals who are in recovery for addiction to other substances like opioids or alcohol.
Foods and alcohol that contain tyramine can result in a dangerous hypertensive (high blood pressure) crisis when combined with tranylcypromine. Tyramine is produced during fermentation and is present in high quantities in aged cheeses, tofu, yeast extracts, and red wine. These foods often contain enough tyramine to rapidly increase blood pressure in patients taking Parnate.
Tyramine is metabolized by monoamine oxidase. When mixed with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor like Parnate, it can lead to an extensive release of norepinephrine and a resultant hypertensive crisis. Spoiled food should also be approached with caution since tyramine may be present following mild fermentation.
Medical Disclaimer: The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
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