Fore Safe Use

When taken with certain foods, drinks, or other medication, MAO inhibitors can cause very dangerous reactions such as sudden high blood pressure - also called hypertensive crisis. To avoid such reactions, obey the following rules of caution :

• Do not eat foods that have a high tyramine content - most common in foods that are aged or fermented to increase their flavor, such as cheeses; fava or broad bean pods; yeast or meat extracts; smoked or pickled meat, poultry, or fish; fermented sausage - bologna, pepperoni, salami and summer sausage or other fermented meat; sauerkraut; or any overripe fruit. If a list of these foods is not given to you, ask your health care professional to provide one.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages or alcohol-free or reduced-alcohol beer and wine.
• Do not eat or drink large amounts of caffeine-containing food or beverages such as coffee, tea, cola, or chocolate.
• Do not take any other drug unless approved or prescribed by your family doctor. This especially includes nonprescription - over-the-counter "OTC " drug, such as that for colds - including nose drops or sprays, cough, asthma, hay fever and appetite control; “keep awake'" products; or products that make you sleepy.

This drug will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants - medication that slow down the nervous system, possibly causing drowsiness. Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or drug for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping drug; prescription pain drug or narcotics; barbiturates; drug for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics Check with your family doctor before taking any of the above while you are using this drug .

Check with your family doctor or hospital emergency room immediately if severe headache, stiff neck, chest pains, fast heartbeat, or nausea and vomiting occur while you are taking this drug. These may be symptoms of a serious side effect that must have a family doctor's attention.

Do not stop taking this drug without first checking with your family doctor . Your family doctor may want you to reduce gradually the amount you are using before stopping completely.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur , especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position Getting up slowly may help . When you get up from lying down, sit on the edge of the bed with your feet dangling for 1 or 2 minutes. Then stand up slowly. If the problem continues or gets worse, check with your family doctor.

This drug may cause blurred vision or make some people drowsy or less alert than they are normally Make sure you know how you react to this drug before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are unable to see well or are not alert .

Before having any kind of surgery, dental treat, or emergency treat, tell the family doctor or dentist in charge that you are using this drug or have using it within the past 2 weeks . Taking MAO inhibitors together with medication that are using during surgery or dental or emergency treats may increase the risk of serious side effects.

Your family doctor may want you to carry an identification card stating that you are using this drug.

For diseaseds with angina - chest pain:

• This drug may cause you to have an unusual feeling of good health and energy. However, do not suddenly increase the amount of exercise you get without discussing it with your family doctor . Too much activity could bring on an attack of angina.

For diabetic diseaseds:

• This drug may effect blood sugar levels. While you are using this drug, be especially careful in testing for sugar in your blood or urine. If you have any questions about this, check with your family doctor.

After you stop using this drug, you must continue to obey the rules of caution for at least 2 weeks concerning food, drink and other drug, since these things may continue to react with MAO inhibitors.