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$Title{PARGYLINE}
$Subject{Eutonyl Filmtabs (Abbott)}
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Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


PARGYLINE
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BRAND NAME (Manufacturer):
     Eutonyl Filmtabs (Abbott)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor and antihypertensive
INGREDIENT:
     pargyline
DOSAGE FORM:
     Tablets (10 mg and 25 mg)
STORAGE:
     Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container.

USES

     Pargyline belongs to a group of drugs known as monoamine oxidase (MAO)
inhibitors.  It is used to treat high blood pressure.  It is not exactly clear
how this medication works, but it is thought to decrease the activity of the
chemicals responsible for increasing blood pressure.

TREATMENT

     Pargyline can be taken either on an empty stomach or, to avoid stomach
irritation, with food or milk (unless your doctor directs you to do
otherwise).
     In order to become accustomed to taking this medication, try to take the
dose(s) at the same time(s) each day.  If you are taking a single daily dose,
it is best to take the dose in the morning (to avoid sleeping difficulties).
     If you miss a dose of this medication and remember within two hours, take
the missed dose immediately.  If more than two hours has passed, do not take
the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule.  Do not
double the next dose.
     Pargyline does not cure high blood pressure, but it will help to control
the condition as long as you continue to take the medication.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, increased
appetite and weight gain, insomnia, nausea, restlessness, or sweating.  These
side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
     Pargyline can increase your sensitivity to sunlight.  You should,
therefore, avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps.  Wear protective
clothing and sunglasses, and use an effective sunscreen.
     To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), and drink more
water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a
sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
     To help relieve mouth dryness, chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or
a piece of hard candy.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
blurred vision, difficulty in urinating, fainting, fever, hallucinations,
muscle aches or twitching, swelling of the feet or legs, or yellowing of the
eyes or skin.
     If you experience a severe headache, stiff neck, chest pain,
palpitations, or vomiting while taking this medication, CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR OR
AN EMERGENCY ROOM IMMEDIATELY.  These symptoms may be the result of a food or
drug interaction.

INTERACTIONS

     Pargyline interacts with a number of drugs and foods:
     1. Concurrent use of pargyline and central nervous system depressants
(such as alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle
relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, phenothiazine tranquilizers, and
sleeping medications) or tricyclic antidepressants can lead to extreme
drowsiness.
     2. The dosage of anticonvulsant medications may need to be adjusted when
pargyline is being taken.
     3. Use of pargyline within 14 days of either another monoamine oxidase
inhibitor or carbamazepine, cyclobenzaprine, methyldopa, guanethidine,
reserpine, levodopa, meperidine or another narcotic, an amphetamine,
ephedrine, methylphenidate, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine, or a
tricyclic antidepressant can lead to serious (sometimes fatal) side effects.
     4. Tyramine-containing foods and beverages (aged cheeses, sour cream,
yogurt, pickled herring, chicken livers, canned figs, raisins, bananas,
avocados, soy sauce, broad bean pods, yeast extracts, beer, and certain
wines), excessive amounts of caffeine-containing beverages (coffee, tea,
cocoa, and cola), and chocolate can also cause serious reactions in patients
on pargyline therapy.
     5. Pargyline can increase the blood-sugar-lowering effects of insulin and
oral antidiabetic medications.
     Before starting to take pargyline, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any
medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed above.
Be sure you are aware of the foods (listed in item number four above) that
interact with this medication.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to pargyline.
     * Before starting to take this medication, be sure to tell your doctor if
you now have or if you have ever had asthma, bronchitis, diabetes mellitus,
epilepsy, glaucoma, severe headaches, heart or blood vessel disease, kidney
disease, liver disease, mental disorders, Parkinson's disease,
pheochromocytoma, or thyroid disease.
     * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
potentially dangerous machinery.
     * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
     * Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any nonprescription
asthma, allergy, cough, cold, diet, or sinus preparation.  Concurrent use of
some of these products with pargyline can lead to serious side effects.
     * The 25-mg tablets contain FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine), which can
cause allergic-type reactions (fainting, shortness of breath, rash) in certain
individuals.
     * If you have angina, do not increase your amount of physical activity
unless you check with your doctor.  Pargyline can decrease the symptoms of
angina without decreasing the risks of strenuous exercise.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Although pargyline
appears to be safe during pregnancy, extensive studies have not been
conducted.  Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.  It is
not known whether pargyline passes into breast milk.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
