Skip to content

Drug interactions

Fentanyl transmucosal + Tranylcypromine

Severity: Contraindicated

Fentanyl transmucosal and Tranylcypromine: contraindicated interaction.

Last updated

For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.

Summary

Opioids such as fentanyl have been associated with serious reactions in MAOI-treated patients, including serotonin syndrome and unpredictable respiratory depression or hypotension. Rapid absorption from transmucosal products can make the effects abrupt.

What this interaction means in plain words

Fentanyl transmucosal and Tranylcypromine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Weak serotonin reuptake inhibition by fentanyl with MAO inhibition can cause serotonin toxicity, and the opioid effect may be unpredictably potentiated.

What to do

Avoid during and for 14 days after MAOI therapy. Select a non-serotonergic analgesic and monitor for respiratory depression and serotonin syndrome if an opioid is unavoidable.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
  • If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
  • Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Fentanyl transmucosal and Tranylcypromine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.

  • Full clinical management advice
  • Additional notes
  • Evidence detail
  • Interaction checker for a whole prescription

Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Fentanyl transmucosal with Tranylcypromine?

MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Fentanyl transmucosal and Tranylcypromine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Opioids such as fentanyl have been associated with serious reactions in MAOI-treated patients, including serotonin syndrome and unpredictable respiratory depression or hypotension. Rapid absorption from transmucosal products can make the effects abrupt.

How serious is the interaction between Fentanyl transmucosal and Tranylcypromine?

MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid during and for 14 days after MAOI therapy. Select a non-serotonergic analgesic and monitor for respiratory depression and serotonin syndrome if an opioid is unavoidable.

What other medicines interact with Tranylcypromine?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Tranylcypromine with, for example, 5-HTP, Amitriptyline, Amoxapine. The full list is on the Tranylcypromine page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in