Parnate

If you have kidney problems, make sure the doctor is aware of this. The doctor may need to reduce your dosage of Parnate to avoid a buildup of the drug. Parnate should also be used with caution if you have an overactive thyroid gland.

MAO inhibitors can suppress heart pain that would otherwise serve as a warning sign of a heart attack. For this reason and others, it should be used with caution by older adults. Also, it should be used with caution by diabetics and people with epilepsy or other convulsive disorders because it can alter the level of drugs used to treat these conditions. Tell every doctor or dentist who you see that you are taking Parnate.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Parnate

Never take Parnate with the following drugs; the combination can trigger seizures or a dangerous spike in blood pressure:

Other MAO inhibitors such as Nardil
Antidepressant drugs classified as tricyclics, such as Anafranil, Elavil, and Tofranil
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)

When switching from one of these drugs to Parnate, or vice versa, allow an interval of at least 1 week between medications.

Also avoid combining Parnate with any of the following:

Antidepressant drugs classified as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft
Amphetamines such as Adderall and Dexedrine
Anesthetics
Antihistamines such as Allegra, Benadryl, and Clarinex
Blood pressure medications such as Accupril, Lotensin, and Prinivil
Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
Buspirone (BuSpar)
Cold and hay fever remedies that constrict blood vessels
Cough remedies containing dextromethorphan
Demerol and other narcotic painkillers such as Percodan, OxyContin, and Vicodin
Disulfiram (Antabuse)
Guanethidine
Methyldopa
Over-the-counter weight reduction aids
Parkinson's disease medications such as Parlodel, Requip, and Sinemet
Reserpine
Sedatives such as Halcion, Nembutal, and Seconal
Tryptophan
Water pills such as HydroDIURIL

While taking Parnate, you should also avoid foods that contain a high amount of a substance called tyramine, including:

Anchovies
Avocados
Bananas
Beer (including nonalcoholic beer)
Caviar
Cheese (especially strong and aged varieties)
Chianti wine
Chocolate
Dried fruits (including raisins, prunes, and figs)
Liqueurs
Liver
Meat extracts or meat prepared with tenderizers
Overripe fruit
Pickled herring
Pods of broad beans like fava beans
Raspberries
Sauerkraut
Sherry
Sour cream
Soy sauce
Yeast extracts
Yogurt