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epinephrine vs tranylcypromine

Side-by-side comparison of epinephrine and tranylcypromine. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

major Known Drug Interaction

If in the absence of therapeutic alternatives and emergency treatment with a contraindicated drug (e.g., linezolid, intravenous methylene blue, direct-acting sympathomimetic drugs such as epinephrine) becomes necessary and cannot be delayed, discontinue tranylcypromine tablets as soon as possible before initiating treatment with the other agent, and monitor closely for adverse reactions. Excessive reduction of blood glucose (additive effect) [See Warnings and Precautions (5.14)] ; CNS depressant agents (including opioids, alcohol, sedatives, hypnotics) Use with caution Increased CNS...

Recommendation: Avoid this combination unless it is a medical emergency. If used in an emergency, a doctor must monitor your blood pressure and heart rate very closely.

Drug Class
epinephrine Adrenergic Agonist
tranylcypromine Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI)
Type
epinephrine Prescription
tranylcypromine Prescription
Summary
epinephrine

Epinephrine injection is a medicine that raises blood pressure. It is used for adults with very low blood pressure due to septic shock.

tranylcypromine

Tranylcypromine (Parnate) is a medicine used to treat major depression in adults. It is used when other antidepressants have not worked well enough.

What It Treats
epinephrine

Epinephrine injection is used to increase blood pressure in adults. It is specifically for those who have low blood pressure because of septic shock. Septic shock is a severe condition caused by infection.

tranylcypromine

Tranylcypromine is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. You should only use it if other antidepressants haven't helped. It is not for the first treatment of depression because it can cause serious side effects and has many drug and food interactions.

How It Works
epinephrine

Epinephrine works on alpha and beta receptors in your body. This causes your blood vessels to narrow and your heart to beat stronger and faster. As a result, your blood pressure increases.

tranylcypromine

Tranylcypromine belongs to a class of drugs called MAO inhibitors. It works by increasing the levels of certain chemicals in your brain. These chemicals can help improve your mood.

Common Side Effects
epinephrine
  • Headache
  • Anxiety
  • Feeling restless
  • Shaking
  • Weakness
tranylcypromine
  • Dry mouth
  • Dizziness
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Feeling sleepy
  • Headache
FAERS Reports
epinephrine
  • Headache 4,161
  • Sinus infection 3,917
  • Tiredness 3,761
  • Difficulty breathing 3,216
  • Pain 3,152
tranylcypromine
  • Interaction between medicines 68
  • Feeling sad or hopeless 36
  • Too much serotonin in the body 27
  • Head pain 24
  • High blood pressure 24
Serious Warnings
epinephrine

Your blood pressure will be checked often while you are taking this medicine. Epinephrine can raise your blood pressure too high. It can also cause fluid to build up in your lungs. Epinephrine may cause irregular heartbeats or reduce blood flow to the heart. Avoid leakage of the medicine into the tissues, as this can cause tissue damage. This medicine contains sulfite, which can cause allergic reactions.

tranylcypromine

Tranylcypromine can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young adults. It can also cause a dangerous increase in blood pressure if you eat foods high in tyramine or take certain medicines. Make sure to follow all food and drug restrictions.

Pregnancy
epinephrine

Epinephrine may harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Epinephrine can also slow down labor.

tranylcypromine

There is limited information about the safety of tranylcypromine during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not recommended to breastfeed while taking this medicine because it can harm the baby.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

Compare tranylcypromine with

How to Read This epinephrine vs tranylcypromine Comparison

epinephrine is classified in the Adrenergic Agonist drug class, while tranylcypromine sits within the Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, epinephrine has 18,207 submissions while tranylcypromine has 179. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known major interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to tranylcypromine prevents the body from breaking down epinephrine, which can cause a sudden and dangerously high spike in blood pressure.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between epinephrine and tranylcypromine - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.