Drug & supplement interaction

Griffonia Simplicifolia + Tranylcypromine

Tranylcypromine brand name: Parnate.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Tranylcypromine falls into 2 drug categories that Griffonia Simplicifolia can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, taking Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract with antidepressant drugs might increase the risk of serotonergic adverse effects, such as serotonin syndrome and cerebral vasoconstrictive disorders such as Call-Fleming syndrome.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions2
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Griffonia Simplicifolia and Tranylcypromine

These two interact in 2 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 2 Interactions?

Griffonia Simplicifolia interacts with whole categories of medication. Tranylcypromine falls into 2 of those categories, so it can interact with Griffonia Simplicifolia in 2 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS

1 of 2

Why this applies to Tranylcypromine

Tranylcypromine falls under ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS — the group Griffonia Simplicifolia interacts with.

Theoretically, taking Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract with antidepressant drugs might increase the risk of serotonergic adverse effects, such as serotonin syndrome and cerebral vasoconstrictive disorders such as Call-Fleming syndrome.
Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract contains 5-HTP. Taking 5-HTP with antidepressant drugs increases the risk of serotonergic adverse effects.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the key thing about Tranylcypromine (Parnate): it's an MAOI, which means it blocks the enzyme that normally breaks down serotonin. Griffonia seed extract supplies 5-HTP, which your body turns into more serotonin. So you'd be cranking serotonin up while also stopping its cleanup, and that combo can let serotonin climb to dangerous levels.

Even though this warning is theoretical and based on how these compounds work, MAOIs are one of the riskier classes for this. Watch-for signs of too much serotonin include agitation, a racing heart, sweating, shivering, muscle twitching, and confusion. This pairing is generally one to avoid, so please don't add Griffonia without first talking to your pharmacist or doctor. They can guide you safely.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Singhal AB, Caviness VS, Begleiter AF, et al. Cerebral vasoconstriction and stroke after use of serotonergic drugs. Neurology 2002;58:130-3. PubMed
  2. Lemaire PA, Adosraku RK. An HPLC method for the direct assay of the serotonin precursor, 5-hydroxytrophan, in seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia. Phytochem Anal 2002;13(6):333-7.
Moderate

MONOAMINE OXIDASE INHIBITORS (MAOIs)

2 of 2

Tranylcypromine also falls under MONOAMINE OXIDASE INHIBITORS (MAOIs).

Theoretically, taking Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract with MAOIs might increase the risk of serotonergic adverse effects, such as serotonin syndrome and cerebral vasoconstrictive disorders such as Call-Fleming syndrome.
Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract contains 5-HTP. Taking 5-HTP with MAOIs increases the risk of serotonergic adverse effects.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the concern with this pairing. Tranylcypromine (Parnate) is an MAOI, which means it blocks the enzyme that normally breaks down serotonin in your brain. Griffonia seeds are rich in 5-HTP, the raw material your body turns straight into serotonin. So you'd be pouring in more serotonin while also stopping its breakdown. That combination can push serotonin too high.

When that happens, you can get serotonin syndrome: agitation, sweating, a racing heart, shivering, muscle twitching, even confusion or fever. Right now this is a theoretical caution based on how these two work, not on hard human studies, but with an MAOI I'd take it seriously. Please don't combine them without first checking with your doctor or pharmacist.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Singhal AB, Caviness VS, Begleiter AF, et al. Cerebral vasoconstriction and stroke after use of serotonergic drugs. Neurology 2002;58:130-3. PubMed
  2. Pardo JV. Mania following addition of hydroxytryptophan to monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2012;34(1):102.e13-4. PubMed
  3. Lemaire PA, Adosraku RK. An HPLC method for the direct assay of the serotonin precursor, 5-hydroxytrophan, in seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia. Phytochem Anal 2002;13(6):333-7.

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Griffonia Simplicifolia Also Interacts With Other Medications

Griffonia Simplicifolia has 316 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Tranylcypromine one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 316 No known interaction 2,514 (incl. Tranylcypromine)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Griffonia Simplicifolia

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Griffonia Simplicifolia. Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Tranylcypromine

This page covers Griffonia Simplicifolia only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Tranylcypromine page lists 81 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Beer (major), Bitter Orange (major), Brewer's Yeast (major) and Cowhage (major).

By severity: 14 major · 55 moderate · 12 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Tranylcypromine page

“Tranylcypromine (Parnate) belongs to the MAOI class of antidepressants, and I read its supplement list with real seriousness, since the highest-rated entries can turn dangerous quickly. The drug blocks the enzyme that normally clears tyramine, so tyramine-rich items like brewer's yeast, fermented soy, and even beer or wine can push blo…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Tranylcypromine interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Griffonia Simplicifolia as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 3 real supplement products containing Griffonia Simplicifolia, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Griffonia Simplicifolia. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Tranylcypromine too, on top of Griffonia Simplicifolia — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Griffonia Simplicifolia and Tranylcypromine Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Griffonia Simplicifolia
Steady interest

#732 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Tranylcypromine
Top half

#1,314 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Griffonia Simplicifolia

What is Griffonia Simplicifolia?

Griffonia Simplicifolia
  • Low mood
  • Sleep problems
  • Anxiety
  • Appetite control
  • Headaches

Griffonia simplicifolia is a West African shrub whose seeds are a natural source of 5-HTP, a building block of the brain chemical serotonin. Some people use it for mood, sleep, and appetite, but high-quality human evidence is limited, and it should not replace prescribed treatment. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using it, especially if you take medicines that affect serotonin.

Read the full Griffonia Simplicifolia monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Tranylcypromine

What Is Tranylcypromine Used For?

Brand name: Parnate

Tranylcypromine tablets — sold as Parnate, Tranylcypromine, and Tranylcypromine Sulfate — are used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. It is not a first-choice antidepressant; it is specifically for people who have already tried other antidepressants and have not gotten adequate relief.

Because of its serious potential side effects, strict dietary requirements, and many drug interactions, tranylcypromine is reserved for cases where other treatments have not worked. It is not approved for use in children.

See full Tranylcypromine drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Griffonia Simplicifolia

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Griffonia Simplicifolia — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
316Moderate
0Minor
2,513No known interaction
316 Moderate 2,513 No interaction
Moderate

316 interactions

Showing 60 of 316 moderate interactions — see all 316 on the Griffonia Simplicifolia page.

No interaction 2,513 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Griffonia Simplicifolia against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,513 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Griffonia Simplicifolia list.

See the full Griffonia Simplicifolia interactions page
See every supplement checked against Tranylcypromine, ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Griffonia Simplicifolia monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Tranylcypromine supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Tranylcypromine, ranked by severity Tranylcypromine drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Griffonia Simplicifolia and Tranylcypromine Together: Common Questions

Can you take Griffonia Simplicifolia with Tranylcypromine?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 2 interactions listed for Griffonia Simplicifolia and Tranylcypromine?
Tranylcypromine belongs to more than one drug category, and Griffonia Simplicifolia interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Griffonia Simplicifolia and Tranylcypromine interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.