Drug Class: Antidepressant, MAO inhibitor

Table of Contents

  • Overview
  • How to Take It
  • Side Effects
  • Warnings & Precautions
  • Drug Interactions
  • Dosage & Missing a Dose
  • Storage
  • Pregnancy or Nursing
  • More Information

    • Overview

    Nardil (phenelzine) is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) used to treat depression. It can improve your feelings of well-being and mood. Often this medication is used in treating those who have not responded to treatment using other drugs.

    Your doctor may prescribe this medicine for other conditions such bipolar depression, panic disorder, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

    This information is for educational purposes only. Not every known side effect, adverse effect, or drug interaction is in this database. If you have questions about your medicines, talk to your health care provider.

    It works by helping change certain chemicals in the brain, which professionals refer to as “neurotransmitters.” It is not yet well-understood why changing these neurochemicals results in symptom relief for the conditions this drug is commonly prescribed for.

    How to Take It

    Follow the directions for taking this medicine exactly as prescribed on your prescription bottle. Phenelzine comes as a tablet and is taken orally. Do not take more or less of this medication than your doctor has told you to.

    Side Effects

    Side effects that may occur while taking this medicine include:

    • upset stomach
    • weakness
    • diarrhea
    • dry mouth
    • drowsiness
    • anxiety
    • indigestion
    • unusually long or deep sleep
    • insomnia
    • constipation
    • impotence

    Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

  • chills
  • neck stiffness
  • severe stomach pain
  • swelling
  • rapid heartbeat
  • unusual thoughts or behavior
  • overactive reflexes
  • difficulty or painful urination
  • shivering
  • shaky arms or legs
  • dark urine
  • unusual weight gain
  • clay-colored stools
  • light-headedness/fainting

    • Warnings & Precautions

    • Tell your doctor if you are allergic to phenelzine or Nardil, or if you have other allergies.
    • When taking MAO inhibitors, avoid foods including aged cheeses, sauerkraut, yogurt, raisins, bananas, sour cream, pickled herring, liver, dry sausage, canned figs, avocados, soy sauce, turkey, yeast extracts, papaya products, fava beans and broad bean pods. These foods contain tyramine or tryptophan and should not be taken with this medicine and for 2 weeks following the discontinuation of this drug.
    • Tell your doctor right away if you experience vision changes, fainting, muscle stiffness, changes in sexual ability, mental or mood changes, tremors, shivering, swollen legs or ankles, or unusual weight gain.
    • Get medical help right away if you develop loss of coordination, fast heartbeat, hallucinations, unexplained fever, severe dizziness, severe nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting, twitching muscles, or unusual agitation. This medication may cause a serious condition called serotonin toxicity.
    • Avoid alcoholic beverages while taking this medicine.
    • Be cautious when driving or performing other hazardous activities. Phenelzine can impair judgment.
    • This medicine can cause dizziness or drowsiness.
    • Phenelzine may cause an attack (rare) of extremely high blood pressure, which may be fatal.
    • Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of this drug. Talk to your doctor if you smoke.
    • For an overdose, seek medical attention immediately. For non emergencies, contact your local or regional poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

    Drug Interactions

    Avoid foods that are high in tyramine while you are taking Phenelzine. These include:

  • aged or smoked meats
  • meat extracts
  • spoiled meats, fish, or dairy products
  • beer and wine (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
  • yogurt
  • hard cheese (cream cheese or cottage cheese are OK)
  • cold medicine that contains tyramine or dextromethorphan
  • large quantities of caffeine or chocolate
  • fava beans
  • sauerkraut
  • yeast extracts

    • Dosage & Missed Dose

    Take Nardil exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your dose may be changed by your doctor to ensure you get the best results.

    When taking Nardil, your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

    Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses or take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

    Storage

    Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (preferably not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.

    Pregnancy/Nursing

    During pregnancy, Nardil should be used when absolutely necessary. Consult with your doctor to discuss the risks and benefits. Do not stop taking this medication unless directed by your doctor.

    It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

    More Information

    For more information, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or health care provider, or you can visit this website, https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682089.html for additional information from the manufacturer of this drug.