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Phenelzine tablets
What do phenelzine tablets do?
PHENELZINE (Nardil(R)) is an antidepressant or mood elevator that helps to lift severe mental depression. Phenelzine belongs to a class of drugs, called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), that block certain enzymes in the brain. This action increases other chemicals in the brain that help fight depression. Phenelzine can interact with certain foods and other medicines to cause unpleasant side effects. You must know what foods and medicines to avoid (see below). Generic phenelzine tablets are not yet available.
What should my health care professional know before I take phenelzine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• an alcohol abuse problem
• asthma or bronchitis
• attempted suicide
• diabetes
• headache
• heart or blood vessel disease, or irregular heart beats
• high blood pressure
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• over-active thyroid
• Parkinson's disease
• pheochromocytoma
• seizures
• schizophrenia or mania
• an unusual or allergic reaction to phenelzine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take phenelzine tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking the tablets except on your prescriber's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Elderly patients over age 65 years may have a stronger reaction to this medicine and should be treated with extreme caution.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is less than two hours to your next dose, take only that dose and skip the missed dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What other medicines can interact with phenelzine?
• alcohol
• buspirone
• caffeine
• cocaine
• dextromethorphan
• furazolidone
• levodopa
• linezolid
• local anesthetics
• medicines for blood pressure
• medicines for colds and breathing difficulties
• medicines for diabetes
• medicines for hay fever and other allergies
• medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances
• medicines for movement abnormalities as in Parkinson's disease, or for gastrointestinal problems
• other medicines for mental depression
• meperidine
• procarbazine
• seizure (convulsion) or epilepsy medicine
• tryptophan
• tyramine—see below for foods that contain tyramine
• water pills
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking phenelzine?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• agitation
• chest pain
• confusion
• difficulty breathing
• difficulty passing urine
• enlarged pupils, sensitivity of the eyes to light
• fever, clammy skin, increased sweating
• headache
• lightheadedness or fainting spells
• muscle or neck stiffness or spasm
• sexual dysfunction
• slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• blurred vision
• constipation
• difficulty sleeping
• drowsiness or dizziness
• dry mouth
• increased appetite; weight increase
• muscle aches or pains, trembling
• nausea, vomiting
• swelling of the feet or legs
• unusual tiredness or weakness
What do I need to watch for while I take phenelzine?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. It can take up to 4 weeks to see the full effects of phenelzine. Do not suddenly stop taking your medicine; this may make your condition worse or give you withdrawal symptoms. Ask your prescriber or health care professional for advice about gradually reducing your dosage. Even after you stop taking phenelzine the effects can last for at least two weeks. Continue to take all precautions and avoid all food and medicine that interact with phenelzine.
Phenelzine can interact with certain foods that contain tyramine to produce severe headaches, a rise in blood pressure, or irregular heart beat. Foods that contain significant amounts of tyramine include aged cheeses; meats and fish (especially aged, smoked, pickled, or processed such as bologna, pepperoni, salami, summer sausage); beer and ale; alcohol-free beer; wine (especially red); sherry; hard liquor; liqueurs; avocados; bananas; figs; raisins; soy sauce; miso soup; yeast/protein extracts; bean curd; fava or broad bean pods; or any over-ripe fruit. Ask your prescriber or health care professional, pharmacist, or nutritionist for a complete listing of tyramine-containing foods. Also, avoid drinks containing caffeine, such as tea, coffee, chocolate, or cola.
Call your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can if you get frequent headaches or have palpitations.
You may get drowsy, dizzy or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how phenelzine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may increase dizziness or drowsiness; avoid alcoholic drinks.
Phenelzine can make your mouth dry. Chewing sugarless gum, sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water will help.
Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or allergies without asking your prescriber or health care professional for advice. Some ingredients may increase possible side effects.
You should stop taking phenelzine at least 10 days before elective surgery; tell your prescriber or health care professional that you have been taking phenelzine.
If you are diabetic there is a possibility that phenelzine may affect your blood sugar. Ask your prescriber or health care professional for advice if there is any change in your blood or urine sugar tests.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degreesC (59 and 86 degreesF). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
NOTE: This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects for this drug. If you have questions about the drug(s) you are taking, check with your health care professional.