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Tranylcypromine (‘Parnate’) overdose: measurement of tranylcypromine concentrations and MAO inhibitory activity and identification of amphetamines in plasma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

M. B. H. Youdim
Affiliation:
MRC Unit and UniversityDepartment of Clinical Pharmacology, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, the Department of Chemical Pathology, Queen Charlotte's Maternity Hospital, London
J. K. Aronson*
Affiliation:
MRC Unit and UniversityDepartment of Clinical Pharmacology, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, the Department of Chemical Pathology, Queen Charlotte's Maternity Hospital, London
K. Blau
Affiliation:
MRC Unit and UniversityDepartment of Clinical Pharmacology, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, the Department of Chemical Pathology, Queen Charlotte's Maternity Hospital, London
A. R. Green
Affiliation:
MRC Unit and UniversityDepartment of Clinical Pharmacology, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, the Department of Chemical Pathology, Queen Charlotte's Maternity Hospital, London
D. G. Grahame-Smith
Affiliation:
MRC Unit and UniversityDepartment of Clinical Pharmacology, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, the Department of Chemical Pathology, Queen Charlotte's Maternity Hospital, London
*
2Address for correspondence: Dr J. K. Aronson, MRC Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford OX2 6HE.

Synopsis

A case of tranylcypromine overdose is reported. Tranylcypromine, amphetamine, methamphetamine and phenylethylamine were detected in the plasma by gas chromatography and their identity confirmed by mass spectrometry. The data suggested that the amphetamines were metabolic products of tranylcypromine. Platelet monoamine oxidase activity was more than 95% inhibited during the 72 h after the overdose despite complete clinical recovery by that time. The possible role of amphetamines and phenylethylamine in causing the clinical manifestations of tranylcypromine overdose is discussed.

Type
Brief communication
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1979

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