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.