Type of medicine: MAO inhibitor antidepressant
Generic and brand names: phenelzine, oral; Nardil
This medicine is an MAO inhibitor taken by mouth to treat certain types of depression. This medicine may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have:
Also tell your provider if you have ever had:
Tell your provider about all other medicines you are taking, especially painkillers or antidepressants. You may need to wait at least 14 days between using an MAO inhibitor and any other medicine.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less of it or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your provider's approval. Take each dose with a full glass of water.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: drowsiness, dizziness, severe headache, neck pain, stiff neck, hallucinations, restlessness, nervousness, shallow breathing, fast irregular heartbeat, fever, cold sweats, lightheadedness, seizures.
Antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment. Talk with your provider about this.
Behavior changes may be caused by the medicine or by depression or another mental illness. Contact your provider right away if you or your family notice any disturbing changes in your thoughts or behavior, such as:
Important note: Stop taking this medicine and get medical care right away if you have heavy sweating; severe chest pain; severe headache or dizziness; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; large pupils; stiff neck; nausea or vomiting; or any other serious effects.
This medicine may make you drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help. Also, drinking alcohol may make it worse. Do not drink alcohol unless your healthcare provider approves.
Do not take any other medicines without your healthcare provider's approval. If you need surgery, emergency care, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine. You may need to stop taking this medicine several days before a surgery.
Certain foods, drinks, and medicines can cause dangerously high blood pressure if you consume them while taking this medicine. Get a list from your healthcare provider about which foods, drinks, and drugs you may take with this medicine. You may need to wait at least 14 days between taking this medicine and taking other medicines or other products. Talk with your provider about this.
You need to check your blood pressure regularly while taking this medicine. You may need to have blood tests to see how the medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Dark urine; rash; diarrhea; unexplained swelling; yellowish eyes or skin; heavy sweating; severe chest pain; severe headache or dizziness; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat, large pupils; stiff neck; nausea; vomiting; high fever; cold, clammy skin.
Other: Dry mouth, trouble urinating, trembling, mild headache, blurred vision, weakness, drowsiness, mild nausea, constipation, trouble sleeping, change in sexual ability or desire.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Also, using these medicines together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any of these medicines:
When taken with certain foods or drinks, this medicine can cause an increase in blood pressure. To avoid this, do not eat large amounts of foods or drink beverages that have a high tyramine content. This includes foods that are aged, fermented, pickled, or smoked, such as aged cheeses; yogurt, sour cream, bananas, avocados, dried fruits, smoked fish, meat, or poultry; sauerkraut; soy sauce; red wine; or beer. Avoid caffeine and chocolate. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
