Tranylcypromine and Irritability: What Users Say

• Lis...
• July 16, 2019

Tranylcypromine for Depression "I have been on Parnate for 21 years and still going strong. I had severe treatment-resistant atypical depression for three years. Over that time, they put me on 10 different antidepressants in various combinations, and nothing worked. I did my own research and made my psychiatrist put me on it. Within a week, I was fine. I would, without a doubt, be dead without Parnate. I regularly eat aged cheese and cured meats, etc., and have never had any food reaction. However, if I drink beer or red wine, I do have a minor reaction - sounds weird, but I grind my teeth and can just tell it’s reacting with the Parnate. Side effects are very minimal - dry mouth; bit of agitation, etc. (though that could be from my anxiety issues - which are also significantly reduced on Parnate). The agitation was worse when I was on 60mg, but now I’m down to 30mg it’s fine. I have tried going off it to see what happened, and the depression came back with a vengeance within a few days!"

• Dog...
• January 16, 2020

Tranylcypromine for Depression "I have taken Parnate for 30+ years. I have low-grade chronic depression. Any time I wean off Parnate, I gain huge weight due to an out-of-control appetite, as well as lethargy and irritability that make it impossible to function. I tried 15 other antidepressants (because of severe hypertensive crises); all failed over time. Parnate is the only medication that works. I would like not to take ANY meds. I would like to be able to eat aged cheese or avocados, have a glass of good wine, and eat in a restaurant without having to do major detective work and scare the staff, but those things are not possible. Parnate is like insulin for a diabetic: it is life-preserving. Side effects you HAVE to deal with. I ended up in the emergency room twice as a result of tyramine (misled by restaurant staff). Insomnia: I take the last dose no later than 2 pm, no caffeine after morning, and when necessary, Imovane to help sleep. Loss of libido and difficulty/inability to achieve orgasm are HUGE trade-offs, but in my case, they are trade-offs for life."

• Alb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2013

For Depression "After a hospitalization where no net good came about, I changed psychiatrists. The new guy is semi-retired, only works two half days a week - but is extremely familiar with MAOIs and one of the few doctors in a state of 4 million that will prescribe them. My symptoms were more refractory and atypical depression, and it's been quite a journey to try and work something out. I've been on tranylcypromine for 3 months now. As it's an analog of amphetamine, my major side effects have been similar to amphetamine - sleeplessness (3 hours a night), hyperalertness, agitation when the dose wears off (sucks as it's only 3 hours or so), and when really worn out it keeps going and I feel alert but make judgment errors. Depression is gone though!"

• Anonymous
• November 19, 2010

Tranylcypromine for Depression "Side effects are terrible. They include diarrhea, dry mouth, in my case weight gain, it also made me agitated. I have been trying to withdraw from it and now have neuromuscular symptoms of cramping, teeth grinding, eye blinking."