Abstract

On September 20 we disagreed with the published statement by the manufacturer of tranylcypromine that it would be “unscientific and premature” to advise patients taking the drug to avoid eating cheese and so we were pleased when, shortly afterwards, they sent round a circular letter headed “This is not an advertisement; a report on a severe side effect of Parnate and Parstelin”, advising that “alcohol and cheese should be avoided by persons under treatment with tranylcypromine.” We think that they have now taken the right, and indeed the only proper course, which is to issue warnings early, even if the evidence is not completely conclusive.