phenelzine

What is the most important information I should know about phenelzine?

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

What is phenelzine?

Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) that is used to treat symptoms of atypical depression in adults when other medicines have not been effective.

Phenelzine is not for treating severe depression or bipolar disorder (manic depression).

Phenelzine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking phenelzine?

• pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland).
• congestive heart failure;
• severe kidney disease; or
• a history of liver problems or abnormal liver function tests.

A dangerous drug interaction can occur between phenelzine and certain other medicines you use within 14 days before or after taking phenelzine. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you need to use any of these medicines, including:

• epinephrine or norepinephrine;
• bupropion, buspirone, carbamazepine, guanethidine, levodopa, meperidine, methyldopa, tryptophan;
• ADHD medication;
• diet pills, cough and cold or allergy medicines;
• opioid medicine;
• other antidepressants;
• another MAO inhibitor --furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others; or
• drugs that affect serotonin levels in your body --stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• high blood pressure, heart disease;
• diabetes;
• schizophrenia;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
• if you have taken another antidepressant within the past 5 weeks.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How should I take phenelzine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

You may need to stop using phenelzine for a short time before any type of surgery or medical procedure. Tell any doctor who treats you that you take phenelzine.

Do not stop using phenelzine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking phenelzine?

• air dried, aged, smoked, or fermented meats, including sausage, pepperoni, Lebanon bologna, or salami;
• beer, wine, reduced-alcohol or alcohol-free beer or wine;
• pickled herring;
• aged cheeses, including blue, boursault, brie, camembert, cheddar, gruyere, mozzarella, parmesan, Romano, Roquefort, and Swiss;
• moldy or improperly stored meat, fish, poultry, or liver;
• soy sauce, miso soup, bean curd, fava beans;
• sauerkraut;
• yogurt;
• yeast extracts, Marmite; or
• excessive amounts of chocolate or caffeine.

Eating these foods while you are taking phenelzine can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels, causing life-threatening side effects. Also avoid these foods for 2 weeks after you stop taking phenelzine.

What are the possible side effects of phenelzine?

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

• sudden and severe headache, neck pain or stiffness;
• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• fast or slow heartbeats;
• chest pain;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• sweating (sometimes with fever and sometimes with cold, clammy skin);
• nausea, vomiting; or
• dilated pupils (your eyes may be more sensitive to light).

Common side effects may include:

• dizziness, feeling light-headed;
• drowsiness, sleep problems;
• headache;
• feeling weak or tired;
• tremors, muscle twitching;
• dry mouth, stomach discomfort, constipation;
• swelling, weight gain; or
• sexual problems.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect phenelzine?

When you start or stop taking phenelzine, your doctor may need to adjust the doses of any other medicines you take on a regular basis.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about phenelzine.