What is phenelzine?
Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) that works by increasing the levels
of certain chemicals in the brain.
Phenelzine is used to treat symptoms of depression that may include feelings of sadness,
fear, anxiety, or worry about physical health (hypochondria). This medication is usually given
after other anti-depressants have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.
Phenelzine is not for treating severe depression or bipolar disorder (manic depression).
Phenelzine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking phenelzine?
Do not use this medication if you have used another MAOI such as isocarboxazid
(Marplan), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)
within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take phenelzine
before another MAOI has cleared from your body.
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to phenelzine, or if you have:
-
pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);
-
congestive heart failure;
-
a history of liver problems; or
-
if you need any type of surgery with anesthesia.
There are many other medicines that can cause serious or
life-threatening medical problems if you take them together with phenelzine. The following
drugs should not be used while you are taking phenelzine:
-
diet pills, caffeine, stimulants, ADHD medication, asthma
medication, over-the-counter cough and cold or allergy medicines;
-
tryptophan (also called L-tryptophan);
-
levodopa (Larodopa, Parcopa, Sinemet), methyldopa
(Aldomet);
-
meperidine (Demerol, Mepergan);
-
furazolidone (Furoxone);
-
procarbazine (Matulane);
-
buspirone (BuSpar);
-
bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban);
-
dexfenfluramine (Redux);
-
guanethidine (Ismelin);
-
alcohol or medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold
medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety); or
-
antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa), duloxetine
(Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox),
paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or venlafaxine (Effexor).
Before taking phenelzine, tell your doctor if you have:
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high blood pressure, heart disease;
-
diabetes;
-
schizophrenia;
-
epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
-
if you have taken another antidepressant within the past 5
weeks.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking an antidepressant,
especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have worsening
depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your
dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or
symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of
treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether phenelzine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
How should I take phenelzine?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions
on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from
this medication.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood pressure will need to
be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
It may take several weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For
best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do
not improve after 4 weeks of treatment.
Store phenelzine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of phenelzine?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your
next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next one as directed.
Do not
take a double dose of this medication.
Where can I get more information about phenelzine?
Your pharmacist has information about phenelzine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of phenelzine?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms 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.
Stop using phenelzine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious
side effects:
-
sudden and severe headache, rapid heartbeat, stiffness in your
neck, nausea, vomiting, cold sweat, sweating, vision problems, sensitivity to light;
-
chest pain, fast or slow heart rate;
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swelling, rapid weight gain;
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agitation, unusual thoughts or behavior; or
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feeling light-headed, fainting.
Less serious side effects may include:
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dizziness;
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feeling weak or drowsy;
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sleep problems (insomnia);
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constipation, upset stomach;
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dry mouth, decreased urination; or
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impotence, difficulty having an orgasm.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about phenelzine?
There are many other medicines that can cause serious or life-threatening
medical problems if you take them together with phenelzine. Do not take phenelzine before
telling your doctor about all other prescription and over-the-counter medications you use,
including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
Keep a list with you of all the
medicines you use and show this list to any doctor, dentist, or other healthcare provider who
treats you.
You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant,
especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular
visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms 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.
While you are taking phenelzine, you must not drink alcohol or eat foods that are
high in tyramine, listed in the "What should I avoid while taking phenelzine?" section of this
leaflet.
Eating tyramine while you are taking phenelzine can raise your blood
pressure to dangerous levels,
causing symptoms that include sudden and severe
headache, rapid heartbeat, stiffness in your neck, nausea, vomiting, cold sweat, vision problems,
and sensitivity to light. Stop taking phenelzine and call your doctor at once if you have any of
these symptoms.
You should become very familiar with the list of foods and medicines you must avoid
while you are taking phenelzine.
Phenelzine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What should I avoid while taking phenelzine?
While you are taking phenelzine
you must not eat foods that are high in
tyramine, including:
-
aged or smoked meats, fermented meats, dry sausage (including
salami, pepperoni, Lebanon bologna), liver, pickled herring;
-
any spoiled or improperly stored meats, fish, or dairy
products;
-
beer and wine (including non-alcoholic beer or wine);
-
cheese (other than cottage cheese or cream cheese);
-
sauerkraut;
-
over-the-counter supplements or cough and cold medicines
that contain dextromethorphan or tyramine;
-
large amounts of chocolate or caffeine;
-
yogurt;
-
fava beans;
-
meat extracts; or
-
yeast extracts (including Brewer's yeast).
You should become very familiar with the list of foods and medicines
you must avoid while you are taking phenelzine.
Eating tyramine while you are
taking phenelzine can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels
which could
cause life-threatening side effects.
Phenelzine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What other drugs will affect phenelzine?
There are many other medicines that can cause serious or life-threatening
medical problems if you take them together with phenelzine. Do not take phenelzine before
telling your doctor about all other prescription and over-the-counter medications you use.
This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other
doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of
all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor, dentist, or other healthcare provider
who treats you.
What happens if I have an overdose of phenelzine?
