Drug interactions
Pseudoephedrine + Tranylcypromine
Severity: Contraindicated
Pseudoephedrine and Tranylcypromine: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
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
Tranylcypromine is a non-selective irreversible MAO inhibitor, and combining it with pseudoephedrine can produce a massive norepinephrine release. This may cause a hypertensive crisis with severe headache, intracranial hemorrhage or cardiac events.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pseudoephedrine 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.
Pseudoephedrine belongs to Respiratory; Tranylcypromine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Irreversible MAO inhibition greatly potentiates the norepinephrine-releasing effect of pseudoephedrine.
What to do
Do not use together, including for 14 days after stopping the MAOI. Treat any resulting hypertensive crisis as an emergency.
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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References
- Tranylcypromine - FDA drug label (DailyMed) — openFDA / DailyMed
Other interactions of Pseudoephedrine
- Isocarboxazid + Pseudoephedrine Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Pseudoephedrine Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Selegiline transdermal Contraindicated
- Benzphetamine + Pseudoephedrine Major
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 Pseudoephedrine with Tranylcypromine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Pseudoephedrine 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. Tranylcypromine is a non-selective irreversible MAO inhibitor, and combining it with pseudoephedrine can produce a massive norepinephrine release. This may cause a hypertensive crisis with severe headache, intracranial hemorrhage or cardiac events.
How serious is the interaction between Pseudoephedrine 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: Do not use together, including for 14 days after stopping the MAOI. Treat any resulting hypertensive crisis as an emergency.
What other medicines interact with Pseudoephedrine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Pseudoephedrine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Rasagiline. The full list is on the Pseudoephedrine page.
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