Parnate® (tranylcypromine) tablets for major depressive disorder

What Parnate® Is and How It Works

Parnate® (tranylcypromine) is a prescription antidepressant in the monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) drug class. It is used for major depressive disorder, often after other antidepressants have not helped enough. Tablets are taken by mouth in divided doses each day. Many people compare Parnate price and availability when planning long-term therapy, including those paying parnate without insurance.

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Tranylcypromine blocks monoamine oxidase enzymes (MAO-A and MAO-B). This increases levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain. The effect can improve mood, energy, and interest in daily activities. Because it is a nonselective, irreversible MAOI, dietary and drug-interaction precautions are required. The generic for Parnate is tranylcypromine; tranylcypromine brand name in many markets is Parnate.

Dosing is individualized. The typical tranylcypromine dose starts low and increases over several weeks. Tablets are usually taken twice daily to reduce insomnia and dizziness. Clinicians monitor response, blood pressure, and side effects and may adjust the plan.

Dosage and Usage

• Starting dose: 10 mg twice daily.
• Titration: increase to 30 mg per day after about 1 week if needed.
• Further increases: may advance by 10 mg increments at intervals if response is limited.
• Parnate high dose use is specialist-guided; do not exceed the labeled maximum without prescriber direction.
• Parnate maximum dose: 60 mg per day in divided doses.
• Administration: swallow tablets with water; take at the same times each day.
• Avoid late-day dosing to reduce insomnia.
• Missed dose: take when remembered unless it is close to the next dose; do not double up.
• Washout periods: allow at least 14 days before starting or stopping most serotonergic antidepressants; allow 5 weeks after fluoxetine.
• Diet: follow a low-tyramine diet while taking an MAOI and during the washout period.

• Storage: store at 20–25°C (68–77°F); protect from moisture; keep the bottle tightly closed.
• Home handling: keep away from heat, steam, and direct sun; avoid bathroom storage.
• Travel: carry your medicine in your hand luggage; keep it in the original labeled bottle.
• Travel documentation: bring a copy of your prescription and your prescriber’s contact details.
• Organization: use a simple pill organizer if approved by your prescriber; keep a dosing log.
• Safety: keep out of reach of children and pets; do not share your medication.

Benefits and Savings

Parnate for depression can be effective when several prior treatments failed. Some people notice improvements in energy, motivation, and overall mood. Because it works differently from SSRIs and SNRIs, it can help in treatment-resistant cases. Tablets are small and easy to take, and dosing is stable once the target dose is set.

Buying from a Canadian pharmacy can lower parnate cost. Many patients save 60–80% compared with typical US prices. If you pay parnate price without insurance, multi-month supplies can further reduce the monthly cost. You can set gentle reorder reminders in your account to avoid gaps in therapy. Bulk promotions may apply when available.

For extra savings updates, see our parnate coupon page.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common: dry mouth, constipation or diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, and headache.
• Central nervous system: insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, tremor.
• Cardiovascular: orthostatic hypotension (lightheadedness on standing), palpitations.
• Sexual: decreased libido or difficulty with orgasm.
• Weight and appetite changes may occur.
• Skin: sweating or rash in some patients.

Serious risks include hypertensive crisis with severe headache, chest pain, neck stiffness, palpitations, or vomiting, especially after high-tyramine foods or interacting drugs. Serotonin syndrome can occur if combined with serotonergic agents. Rare liver problems, mania/hypomania, and severe blood pressure swings can happen. Do not combine with meperidine, dextromethorphan, linezolid, methylene blue, or sympathomimetic amines. Increased hypoglycemia is not typical, but diabetes medicines may need review.

Onset Time

Sleep and appetite may shift in the first 1–2 weeks. Mood, interest, and energy often improve over 2–4 weeks as the dose reaches the therapeutic range. A full response can take 4–8 weeks. After dose changes, allow at least 1–2 weeks to judge benefit. If response is incomplete at 30 mg per day, prescribers may increase the dose gradually.

Compare With Alternatives

Many start with an SSRI before trying an MAOI. Options include Escitalopram, which is often well tolerated and taken once daily. It has fewer food restrictions and a broad evidence base for major depression and anxiety disorders.

Fluoxetine is another SSRI with a long half-life and once-daily dosing. It can suit people who prefer a gradual, steady effect. A five-week washout is required before switching from fluoxetine to an MAOI like tranylcypromine.

Fluvoxamine is an SSRI often used for obsessive-compulsive disorder and sometimes depression. It also requires careful washout before MAOI use. Your prescriber balances symptom profile, tolerability, and interaction risks when choosing an antidepressant.

Combination Therapy

• Psychotherapy (CBT or IPT) alongside medication can improve outcomes.
• Short-term benzodiazepines may be used for severe anxiety or insomnia under close supervision.
• Thyroid hormone augmentation is sometimes considered in resistant depression, specialist-guided.
• Avoid combinations with SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, bupropion, mirtazapine, buspirone, triptans, tramadol, most decongestants, and other serotonergic or sympathomimetic agents.
• Allow proper washout periods when switching therapies to reduce interaction risk.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Good candidates include adults with major depressive disorder who did not respond to several prior antidepressants or who tolerated them poorly. It may also help in atypical depression. It is not first-line for most patients due to interaction and diet restrictions.

Parnate may be unsuitable in people with pheochromocytoma, severe cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, severe renal impairment, or hepatic disease. It is contraindicated with other MAOIs, meperidine, linezolid, methylene blue, and many serotonergic drugs. It is not approved for pediatric use. Discuss pregnancy and breastfeeding considerations with your prescriber.

Follow a low-tyramine diet. Avoid aged cheeses, cured meats, fermented soy products, sauerkraut, draft beers, and certain yeast extracts. Check the interaction list for OTC cold remedies and cough syrups. Carry an interaction card that states “taking an MAOI.”

To manage out-of-pocket costs, consider a 90-day supply when appropriate. This can reduce the monthly parnate cash price. Set email reorder reminders so you do not run out. If you are parnate uninsured, compare generic and brand pricing on our product page and choose the option your prescriber permits.

Authoritative Sources

FDA Prescribing Information for tranylcypromine (Parnate)

Health Canada Drug Product Database: tranylcypromine

DailyMed: tranylcypromine sulfate tablets

Order Parnate® from Youdrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express shipping.

This material is educational and does not replace guidance from your own qualified health professional. Always follow your prescriber’s instructions for diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring.