Brand Name

Nardil

Generic Name

phenelzine sulfate, pronounced FEN-el-zeen SUHL fate

 

What is Nardil?

Nardil is an antidepressant used to treat depression that does not respond to other drug treatments. Nardil is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, or MAOI. Nardil is believed to help to increase certain chemicals in your brain that help to elevate your mood.

Nardil may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

 

Key Facts About Nardil

You should not take Nardil if you have taken linezolid, another MAOI like selegiline or a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) like paroxetine within the last 14 days.

Do not take Nardil if you have used fluoxetine within the past five (5) weeks.

Talk to your doctor if you have pheochromocytoma (a tumor of the adrenal gland) before taking Nardil.

You should not take Nardil if you consume certain foods that contain high levels of tyramine such as aged cheeses, sour cream, red wine, beer, bologna, pepperoni, salami, summer sausage, pickled herring, liver, meat prepared with tenderizers, canned figs, raisins, bananas, avocados, soy sauce, fava beans, or yeast extracts. Eating excess amounts of these foods while taking Nardil can cause a serious increase in your blood pressure. Your doctor or pharmacist can give you a complete list of food and drink that you should not consume while you are taking Nardil.

You should not drink alcohol while taking Nardil, as it may increase certain side effects of this medication, such as sleepiness.

Tell your doctor if you are having upcoming surgery and will need anesthesia before taking Nardil.

When you first start taking Nardil you may have thoughts about suicide, especially if you are younger than 24 years of age. You must tell your doctor if you have these thoughts, and be sure to keep regular appointments with your physician, particularly for the first 3 months of treatment. Be sure to alert your caregivers that you are taking this medication.

If you have any new or worsening symptoms, like mood changes, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, impulsiveness, irritability, aggression, hyperactivity, or thoughts of suicide or harming yourself tell your doctor immediately.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Nardil is in FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known that Nardil can cause problems in your newborn if you take this medication during your pregnancy. Consult with your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Nardil. You should not breastfeed while taking Nardil, as it is not yet known if Nardil can pass into breast milk and harm a nursing baby.

 

Before You Take Nardil

If you are allergic to phenelzine you should not take Nardil.

Let your doctor know if you are allergic to any foods or medicines before you start taking Nardil.

If you have asthma, epilepsy, seizures, a history of heart attack or stroke, or high blood pressure you should tell your doctor before taking Nardil.

Tell your doctor before starting Nardil if you have schizophrenia, liver or kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease or the blood disease porphyria before you begin treatment with Nardil.

You should inform your doctor if you have recently experienced thoughts of suicide to make sure that Nardil is safe for you to take right now.

If you take a medication that contains Methylene Blue inform your doctor right away, and before you start your treatment with Nardil.

Many prescription and nonprescription medications can interact with Nardil. Tell your doctor about every medication you take, such as medicines to treat allergies, cold symptoms, depression, diabetes, headaches, pain, and others. Life-threatening side effects may occur if you take Nardil with certain medications.

Be aware that Nardil may impair your reactions or thinking. You should be careful when driving or doing anything which requires you to be alert, especially when you first start Nardil. Be careful when getting from a sitting or lying position, as Nardil can cause dizziness. Be sure to get up slowly and safely to prevent falling.

You should not take Nardil if you are currently taking an MAO inhibitor like furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You could suffer from a dangerous drug interaction if you take any of the above medications alongside the MAOI Nardil. You must wait at least 14 days before taking any of the above medications after stopping Nardil.

Children under age 16 should not take Nardil.

 

Nardil Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• alcohol or medications that make you sleepy like cold medicine, muscle relaxers and pain medications.
• antidepressants like citalopram (Celexa), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft) and venlafaxine (Effexor)
• bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban)
• buspirone (BuSpar)
• diazepam (Valium) or other sleeping pills
• dexfenfluramine (Redux)
• furazolidone (Furoxone)
• guanethidine (Ismelin)
• meperidine (Demerol, Mepergan)
• Parkinson’s disease medications like levodopa (Larodopa, Parcopa, Sinemet) and methyldopa (Aldomet)
• procarbazine (Matulane)
• stimulants like ADHD medications, caffeine or diet pills
• tryptophan (L-tryptophan)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Nardil. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

 

Directions for Taking Nardil

You should take Nardil exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take Nardil in larger or smaller amounts, or for shorter or longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Follow the instructions included with your Nardil prescription as to what foods and drinks to avoid while taking this medication. You should not take Nardil if you consume certain foods that contain high levels of tyramine such as aged cheeses, sour cream, red wine, beer, bologna, pepperoni, salami, summer sausage, pickled herring, liver, meat prepared with tenderizers, canned figs, raisins, bananas, avocados, soy sauce, fava beans, or yeast extracts. Eating excess amounts of these foods while taking Nardil can cause a serious increase in your blood pressure and symptoms like a sudden and severe headache, nausea, vomiting, vision problems and a rapid heartbeat. If you experience these symptoms stop taking Nardil and contact your doctor immediately.

You should not take Nardil if you are currently taking an MAO inhibitor like furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You could suffer from a dangerous drug interaction if you take any of the above medications alongside the MAOI Nardil. You must wait at least 14 days before taking any of the above medications after stopping Nardil.

You can take Nardil with or without food.

Nardil is a part of a program that your doctor has prescribed which may include counseling and other psychological support program. Follow your doctor’s instructions exactly and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using Nardil.

Do not stop using Nardil suddenly without consulting your doctor, as you may experience adverse side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly. Your doctor may change your dosage of Nardil throughout the course of your treatment, and you should follow his or her instructions carefully.

Nardil needs to be stored at room temperature, and away from light, moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Nardil you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

 

Nardil Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Nardil and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• allergic reaction such as breathing difficulties, hives, swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• chest pain
• faintness
• increased or decreased heart rate
• suicidal thoughts or thought about hurting yourself
• swelling with rapid weight gain
• unusual thoughts or behavior

Less serious side effects of Nardil may include:

• constipation
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• impotence or trouble achieving orgasm
• insomnia
• upset stomach
• urination that is decreased
• weakness

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Nardil. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

 

Nardil Description and Dosing

Nardil is available as15 mg tablets that are orange and round. “RD 270” is imprinted on the Nardil tablets.

Because Nardil is prescribed differently for each patient and their unique condition, all people taking Nardil should consult their doctor for a specific dosing pertaining to them. You should not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Nardil you should seek emergency help immediately.

 

Ingredients in Nardil

Nardil is comprised of the main ingredient phenelzine sulfate. Additional inactive ingredients include mannitol, croscarmellose sodium, povidone, edetate disodium, magnesium stearate, isopropyl alcohol, purified water and opadry orange Y30-13242A.

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