Drug interactions
Levodopa + Tranylcypromine
Severity: Contraindicated
Levodopa 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
Levodopa is converted to dopamine and norepinephrine, and nonselective MAO inhibition prevents their breakdown. This can produce hypertensive crisis with severe headache and cardiovascular events.
What this interaction means in plain words
Levodopa 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.
Levodopa belongs to Central Nervous System; Tranylcypromine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Increased catecholamine formation with blocked MAO-A and MAO-B degradation causes exaggerated pressor effects.
What to do
Avoid the combination and stop the nonselective MAOI at least 14 days before starting levodopa. Selective MAO-B inhibitors are used in Parkinson disease under guidance.
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?
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Other interactions of Tranylcypromine
- 5-HTP + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Benzphetamine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Levodopa
- Isocarboxazid + Levodopa Contraindicated
- Levodopa + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Levodopa + Phenelzine (nonselective MAOI) Contraindicated
- Levodopa + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Levodopa Major
- Chlorpromazine + Levodopa Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Levodopa with Tranylcypromine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Levodopa 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. Levodopa is converted to dopamine and norepinephrine, and nonselective MAO inhibition prevents their breakdown. This can produce hypertensive crisis with severe headache and cardiovascular events.
How serious is the interaction between Levodopa 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 the combination and stop the nonselective MAOI at least 14 days before starting levodopa. Selective MAO-B inhibitors are used in Parkinson disease under guidance.
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.
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