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rasagiline vs tranylcypromine

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

moderate Known Drug Interaction

Product Clinical Comment on Concomitant Use [See Contraindications (4.1)] ; Predominant Effect/Risk [Hypertensive Reaction (HR) [See Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] ; or Serotonin Syndrome (SS) [See Warnings and Precautions (5.7)] ] Altretamine Use with caution If not otherwise specified in this table, consider avoiding concomitant use (see also information on medication-free intervals , use agent at the lowest appropriate dose, monitor for effects of the interaction, advise the patient to report potential effects, and be prepared to discontinue the agent and treat effects of the...

Recommendation: You should generally avoid taking these two medicines together. If they must be used, your doctor will monitor you very closely for signs of high blood pressure or confusion.

Drug Class
rasagiline MAO-B Inhibitor
tranylcypromine Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI)
Type
rasagiline Prescription
tranylcypromine Prescription
Summary
rasagiline

Rasagiline (Azilect) is a medicine used to treat Parkinson's disease. It helps to improve motor control and reduce symptoms like tremors and stiffness.

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
rasagiline

Rasagiline is used to treat Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is a brain disorder that affects movement. This medicine can be used alone or with other Parkinson's medicines to help control your symptoms.

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
rasagiline

Rasagiline belongs to a class of drugs called MAO-B inhibitors. It works by increasing the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. These chemicals help to control movement and reduce Parkinson's symptoms.

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
rasagiline
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Joint pain
  • Depression
  • Indigestion
  • Swelling in the arms or legs
tranylcypromine
  • Dry mouth
  • Dizziness
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Feeling sleepy
  • Headache
FAERS Reports
rasagiline
  • Falling 343
  • Seeing or hearing things that are not there 326
  • Uncontrolled movements 276
  • Parkinson's disease 216
  • Feeling lightheaded 205
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
rasagiline

Rasagiline can cause high blood pressure. It can also cause serotonin syndrome, a serious condition, especially when taken with antidepressants. You may fall asleep suddenly or feel very drowsy. Rasagiline can also cause or worsen uncontrolled movements, hallucinations, and compulsive behaviors. Tell your doctor if you experience any of these side effects.

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
rasagiline

It is not known if rasagiline can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if rasagiline passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

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

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How to Read This rasagiline vs tranylcypromine Comparison

rasagiline is classified in the MAO-B Inhibitor 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, rasagiline has 1,366 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 moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to both drugs increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain and body. taking them together can lead to dangerously high blood pressure or a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.. 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 rasagiline 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.