Nardil (Phenelzine) belongs to a group of medications known as monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. Nardil (Phenelzine) is used to treat Depression. Depression is believed to be caused by imbalances in certain brain chemicals. Nardil (Phenelzine) helps to rebalance these chemicals.

It may take up to 4 weeks to experience an improvement in symptoms.

Nardil (Phenelzine) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Nardil (Phenelzine) may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Nardil (Phenelzine) may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Nardil (Phenelzine) for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Nardil (Phenelzine), speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Nardil (Phenelzine) without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Nardil (Phenelzine) to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Nardil (Phenelzine) if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The recommended adult starting dose is 15 mg taken 3 times daily. Your doctor may increase this dose to a maximum of 30 mg taken 3 times daily. Once a maximum benefit has been achieved, your doctor may slowly lower the dose.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not stop taking Nardil (Phenelzine) without talking to your doctor. If it becomes necessary to stop Nardil (Phenelzine), the dose should be reduced gradually to prevent withdrawal effects. Stopping Nardil (Phenelzine) too quickly can cause nightmares, agitation, nausea, vomiting, and hearing or seeing things that are not there (hallucinations).

It is important to take Nardil (Phenelzine) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Nardil (Phenelzine) at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Nardil (Phenelzine) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Nardil (Phenelzine). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• Constipation
• dizziness
• dizziness when moving from a sitting or lying to a standing position
• drowsiness
• Dry Mouth
• fluid retention
• headache
• itchinesss or skin rash
• decrease in sexual ability
• sleep disturbances (including Insomnia and oversleeping)
• stomach disturbances
• weakness and fatigue
• weight gain

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• behavior or mood changes (e.g., anger, aggression, agitation, hostility, worrying)
• blurred vision
• disorientation
• euphoria (feelings of intense well-being, happiness, joy)
• eye pain
• feeling tense
• unable to urinate
• increased occurrence of infection symptoms (flu-like symptoms e.g., sore throat, cough, Fever, fatigue)
• involuntary eye movement
• lupus-like symptoms (e.g., fever, joint pain, general feeling of being unwell)
• nervousness
• tingling, prickling feeling
• seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations)
• signs of  liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, Diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
• speech changes
• symptoms of too much sodium in the blood (e.g., thirst, confusion, seizures)
• tremors, twitching, or other involuntary movements

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• high fever accompanied by rapid heart rate and breathing, stiff muscles, loss of consciousness
• loss of consciousness
• noisy, high pitched breathing sounds, trouble breathing, hoarseness
• seizures
• symptoms of dangerously high blood pressure (also called a "hypertensive crisis"): headache (at the back of the head, may travel to the front), palpitations, neck stiffness or soreness, nausea, vomiting, sweating, fever, cold clammy skin, dilated (enlarged) pupils, sensitivity of eyes to light, change in heart rate, or chest pain
• thoughts of hurting yourself or others

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Nardil (Phenelzine).

Each orange, biconvex, film-coated tablet engraved with "PD 270" contains Nardil (Phenelzine) sulfate, equivalent to Nardil (Phenelzine) base 15 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, edetate disodium, magnesium stearate, mannitol, opadry orange, and povidone simethicone emulsion. Nardil (Phenelzine) does not contain gluten, lactose, paraben, sodium, sulfite, or tartrazine.

Do not take Nardil (Phenelzine) if you:

• are allergic to Nardil (Phenelzine) or any ingredients of the medication
• are going to undergo elective surgery requiring general anesthesia
• are taking or have recently taken certain medications (see drug interactions section or ask your doctor or pharmacist)
• have a condition known as pheochromocytoma
• have a history of liver disease or abnormal liver function tests
• have Congestive Heart Failure

Nardil (Phenelzine) sulfate should not be taken in combination foods with a high tyramine content. In general, those taking Nardil (Phenelzine) should avoid high-protein foods in which aging or protein breakdown is used to increase flavour. In particular, avoid foods such as:

• avocados (especially if overripe)
• bananas (if used with the peel)
• beer and wine
• Bovril
• caffeine (large amounts)
• canned figs
• caviar
• C.E.S. (exceptions: cream cheese and cottage cheese)
• chocolate
• fermented meat (e.g., bologna, pepperoni, salami)
• liver
• pickled herring
• pods of broad beans (fava beans)
• raisins
• sauerkraut
• sour cream
• soy sauce
• yeast extracts such as Marmite®
• yogurt

These foods should be avoided while taking the medication and for at least 2 weeks after stopping the medication.

There may be an interaction between Nardil (Phenelzine) and any of the following:

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Nardil (Phenelzine). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Nardil (Phenelzine).

Certain foods and beverages: Avoid the following foods while taking Nardil (Phenelzine) and for 2 weeks after stopping the medication: pickled herring, liver, dry sausage (including Genoa salami, hard salami, pepperoni, and Lebanon bologna), broad bean pods (fava beans), sauerkraut, cheese (cottage cheese and cream cheese are allowed), yogurt, beer and wine, alcohol-free and reduced-alcohol beer and wine products, yeast extract, meat extract, and excessive amounts of chocolate or caffeine.

People being treated with Nardil (Phenelzine) should also avoid any spoiled or improperly refrigerated, handled, or stored protein-rich foods such as meats, fish, and dairy products, including foods that may have undergone protein breakdown by aging, pickling, fermentation, or smoking to improve flavour.

Diabetes: There is conflicting information about the effect Nardil (Phenelzine) has on blood glucose levels. If you have diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes, discuss with your doctor how Nardil (Phenelzine) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want you to monitor your blood glucose more frequently until you know how this medication affects you.

Epilepsy: Nardil (Phenelzine) may increase the risk of seizures. If you have epilepsy, discuss with your doctor how Nardil (Phenelzine) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Nardil (Phenelzine), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Glaucoma: Nardil (Phenelzine) may cause the symptoms of glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye) to become worse. If you have glaucoma, discuss with your doctor how Nardil (Phenelzine) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Nardil (Phenelzine), and whether any special monitoring is needed. Report any changes in vision to your doctor as soon as possible while you are taking this medication.

Hypertensive crisis: The most serious reaction associated with taking Nardil (Phenelzine) is the occurrence of severe high blood pressure. These reactions include some or all of the following symptoms:

• dilated pupils and eye sensitivity to light
• extremely fast or slow heart rate associated with constricting chest pain
• headache at the back of the head which may travel to the front
• nausea or vomiting
• neck stiffness or soreness
• palpitation
• sweating (sometimes with fever and sometimes with cold, clammy skin)

If you have these symptoms, stop taking the medication and get immediate medical attention.

Identification: People taking Nardil (Phenelzine) are encouraged to carry a card or other notification of the fact that they are taking Nardil (Phenelzine).

Other medications: Nardil (Phenelzine) interacts with a number of different medications. Therefore, be sure to tell any health care professional involved in your care of all the medications you are taking, including those that can be bought without a prescription. Always ask your pharmacist for help in choosing over-the-counter medications.

Suicidal or agitated behaviour: People taking Nardil (Phenelzine) may feel agitated (restless, anxious, aggressive, emotional, and feeling not like themselves), or they may want to hurt themselves or others. These symptoms may occur within several weeks after starting Nardil (Phenelzine). If you experience these side effects or notice them in a family member who is taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately. You should be closely monitored by your doctor for emotional and behaviour changes while taking Nardil (Phenelzine).

Surgery: If you are scheduled to undergo surgery, inform all of the health care professionals involved in your care that you are taking this medication. Ask your doctor when you should stop taking Nardil (Phenelzine) before the surgery - usually Nardil (Phenelzine) should be stopped at least 10 days before the operation.

Pregnancy: Nardil (Phenelzine) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if Nardil (Phenelzine) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Nardil (Phenelzine), it may affect your baby. Do not breast-feed while you are taking Nardil (Phenelzine).

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Nardil (Phenelzine) have not been established for children less than 16 years old.