Nardil Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Nardil Tablet (phenelzine) is an antidepressant belonging to a class of medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). It is used to treat depression, especially when other antidepressants have not worked well. Nardil works by blocking an enzyme that breaks down certain brain chemicals, which raises levels of chemicals like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. It requires careful monitoring, including blood pressure checks and avoidance of certain foods, drinks, and medicines.

What is Nardil Tablet

Nardil is an antidepressant that belongs to a group of medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). It is used to treat depression, especially when other antidepressants have not worked well.

Nardil Tablet uses

• Treats symptoms of depression, including feelings of sadness, fear, anxiety, or worry about physical health
• Used for atypical, nonendogenous, or neurotic depression with mixed anxiety and depression or phobic features
• Usually tried after other antidepressants have failed to work

Benefits of Nardil Tablet

• May improve mood and emotional well-being
• May reduce persistent sadness
• May help restore interest in daily activities
• May improve functioning when depression symptoms lessen
• May help when other antidepressants have not worked

How Nardil Tablet works

Nardil blocks an enzyme called monoamine oxidase, which normally breaks down certain brain chemicals. By blocking this enzyme, the medicine increases the levels of chemicals like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain, which can help improve mood.

Nardil Tablet dosage

Swallow the tablet whole as directed by your doctor. Follow your prescription label and any instructions from your doctor. It may take a few weeks before you notice the full benefit of this medicine. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor, as this can cause unpleasant withdrawal effects. Your blood pressure will need to be checked regularly while you take this medicine. You may need to stop taking this medicine for a short time before surgery or a medical procedure.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet (15 mg)

Side effects of Nardil Tablet

Common

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Tiredness or weakness
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Constipation
• Upset stomach
• Dry mouth
• Decreased urination
• Impotence or difficulty having an orgasm
• Headache
• Tremors or muscle twitching
• Weight gain
• Swelling (fluid retention)

Serious

• Fainting or lightheadedness
• Mental or mood changes such as agitation or confusion
• Muscle stiffness
• Shaking (tremor) or shivering
• Swollen ankles or legs
• Unusual weight gain
• Vision changes (double or blurred vision)
• Sudden severe headache, neck pain, or stiffness
• Pounding, fast, or slow heartbeats
• Chest pain
• Sweating with fever or cold clammy skin
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dilated pupils or increased sensitivity to light
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Signs of serotonin syndrome such as confusion, agitation, fast heartbeat, muscle twitching or stiffness, and seizures
• New or worsening depression, anxiety, panic attacks, agitation, hostility, or thoughts of suicide

Warnings and precautions

• Antidepressants can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, teenagers, and young adults, especially during the first few months of treatment or after a dose change. Everyone taking this medicine should be watched closely for worsening mood or unusual behavior changes.
• This medicine can cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure (hypertensive crisis) if combined with certain foods, drinks, or medicines. This reaction can be fatal.
• You must avoid certain foods high in tyramine, such as aged cheese, cured or smoked meats, pickled foods, and fermented products, while on this medicine and for two weeks after stopping it, because they can cause a dangerous blood pressure spike.
• This medicine must not be combined with certain other antidepressants, decongestants, cough medicines containing dextromethorphan, certain pain medicines like meperidine, or other MAO inhibitors, because this can cause serious or life-threatening reactions.
• Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms such as vivid nightmares, agitation, psychosis, or seizures.
• This medicine should not be used by anyone younger than 18 years old, and it is not approved for treating depression in children.
• This medicine should not be taken by people with a certain adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma), congestive heart failure, severe kidney disease, or a history of liver problems.
• You should not have elective surgery with general anesthesia while taking this medicine, and it should be stopped at least 10 days before planned surgery.
• It is not known if this medicine is safe to use during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are or plan to become pregnant so the benefits and risks can be weighed.
• It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor before breastfeeding while taking this medicine.
• This medicine should not be used if you have severe kidney disease.
• This medicine should not be used if you have a history of liver problems or abnormal liver test results.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine, as it can cause dangerous side effects.
• This medicine can affect your thinking or reactions, so be careful when driving or doing anything that requires alertness.

Storage

• Store between 59°F and 86°F (15°C to 30°C)
• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat
• Store in a cool, dry place in a tightly closed container, protected from light

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you have a sudden severe headache, neck pain or stiffness, pounding or irregular heartbeats, chest pain, fainting, sweating with fever or cold clammy skin, nausea or vomiting, or your pupils become dilated and sensitive to light, since these can be signs of a dangerous rise in blood pressure.
• Call your doctor immediately if you or a family member has new or worsening depression, anxiety, panic attacks, agitation, irritability, aggressive behavior, or thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
• Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have taken too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, dizziness, severe headache, neck stiffness, hallucinations, shallow breathing, fast or uneven heartbeat, cold sweats, feeling like you might pass out, or seizures.
• Get emergency help right away if you develop symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as sweating, fever, confusion, agitation, fast heartbeat, muscle twitching or stiffness, or seizures, especially if you are also taking other medicines that affect serotonin.

Alternatives

• Emsam (Selegiline)
• Sertraline
• Venlafaxine