Drug interactions
Papaveretum + Tranylcypromine
Severity: Major
Papaveretum and Tranylcypromine: major 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
Papaveretum contains morphine and other opium alkaloids, and combining it with a nonselective MAOI can precipitate severe reactions. These include serotonin-like toxicity with hyperthermia and agitation, or marked CNS and respiratory depression with hypotension. Fatalities have been described with MAOI-opioid combinations.
What this interaction means in plain words
Papaveretum and Tranylcypromine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Why it happens
MAO inhibition may potentiate opioid and serotonergic effects; the precise mechanism is not fully established.
What to do
Avoid papaveretum during tranylcypromine therapy and for 14 days after discontinuation. Use an alternative analgesic and monitor closely if an opioid cannot be avoided.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Papaveretum 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.
Other interactions of Tranylcypromine
- 5-HTP + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Benzphetamine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Papaveretum with Tranylcypromine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Papaveretum and Tranylcypromine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Papaveretum contains morphine and other opium alkaloids, and combining it with a nonselective MAOI can precipitate severe reactions. These include serotonin-like toxicity with hyperthermia and agitation, or marked CNS and respiratory depression with hypotension. Fatalities have been described with MAOI-opioid combinations.
How serious is the interaction between Papaveretum and Tranylcypromine?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid papaveretum during tranylcypromine therapy and for 14 days after discontinuation. Use an alternative analgesic and monitor closely if an opioid cannot be avoided.
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.
