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medication

Phenelzine

Also known as: Nardil, MAOI

Chemical structure of Phenelzine (PubChem CID 3675)
Structure via PubChem
Half-life
12 h
Typical timing
morning
Food rule
either
Default unit
mg

Overview

Phenelzine, commonly known by its brand name Nardil, is an antidepressant medication classified as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). It is primarily used to treat certain depressive and anxiety disorders, particularly atypical depression, and sometimes in cases where other antidepressant treatments have been ineffective. Phenelzine works by inhibiting the activity of monoamine oxidase enzymes in the brain, leading to increased concentrations of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. This medication requires strict dietary restrictions and careful monitoring due to potential serious interactions with certain foods and other drugs. Phenelzine was approved for medical use in the United States in the 1960s (National Institutes of Health).

Deep dive

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Known interactions

  • Category rule: supplement × medication
    Note

    Some supplements change how the body processes medications (absorption, liver enzymes, or additive effects).

    Specific pairs are checked against a licensed drug database and shown with their own severity. Always confirm with your provider or pharmacist.

  • Category rule: vitamin × medication
    Note

    Certain vitamins interact with specific medications (e.g., vitamin K with blood thinners).

    Specific pairs are checked against a licensed source; confirm with your provider.

  • Compound-pair rule
    Avoid

    Combining SSRIs/SNRIs with MAOIs can cause life-threatening serotonin syndrome.

    Do not combine. Allow at least 14 days between stopping one and starting the other (5 weeks for fluoxetine).

  • Compound-pair rule
    Avoid

    Combining SSRIs/SNRIs with MAOIs can cause life-threatening serotonin syndrome.

    Do not combine. Allow at least 14 days between stopping one and starting the other (5 weeks for fluoxetine).

  • Compound-pair rule
    Avoid

    Combining SSRIs/SNRIs with MAOIs can cause life-threatening serotonin syndrome.

    Do not combine. Allow at least 14 days between stopping one and starting the other (5 weeks for fluoxetine).

  • Compound-pair rule
    Avoid

    Combining SSRIs/SNRIs with MAOIs can cause life-threatening serotonin syndrome.

    Do not combine. Allow at least 14 days between stopping one and starting the other (5 weeks for fluoxetine).

  • Compound-pair rule
    Avoid

    Combining SSRIs/SNRIs with MAOIs can cause life-threatening serotonin syndrome.

    Do not combine. Allow at least 14 days between stopping one and starting the other (5 weeks for fluoxetine).

  • Compound-pair rule
    Avoid

    Combining SSRIs/SNRIs with MAOIs can cause life-threatening serotonin syndrome.

    Do not combine. Allow at least 14 days between stopping one and starting the other (5 weeks for fluoxetine).

  • Compound-pair rule
    Avoid

    Combining SSRIs/SNRIs with MAOIs can cause life-threatening serotonin syndrome.

    Do not combine. Allow at least 14 days between stopping one and starting the other (5 weeks for fluoxetine).

  • Compound-pair rule
    Avoid

    Combining SSRIs/SNRIs with MAOIs can cause life-threatening serotonin syndrome.

    Do not combine. Allow at least 14 days between stopping one and starting the other (5 weeks for fluoxetine).

  • Compound-pair rule
    Avoid

    MAOI blocks catecholamine breakdown; combining with sympathomimetics can trigger hypertensive crisis.

    Do not combine.

  • Compound-pair rule
    Avoid

    MAOI blocks catecholamine breakdown; combining with sympathomimetics can trigger hypertensive crisis.

    Do not combine.

  • Compound-pair rule
    Avoid

    MAOI blocks catecholamine breakdown; combining with sympathomimetics can trigger hypertensive crisis.

    Do not combine.

  • Compound-pair rule
    Avoid

    MAOI blocks catecholamine breakdown; combining with sympathomimetics can trigger hypertensive crisis.

    Do not combine.

  • Compound-pair rule
    Avoid

    MAOI blocks catecholamine breakdown; combining with sympathomimetics can trigger hypertensive crisis.

    Do not combine.

  • Compound-pair rule
    Avoid

    MAOI blocks catecholamine breakdown; combining with sympathomimetics can trigger hypertensive crisis.

    Do not combine.

  • Compound-pair rule
    Avoid

    MAOI blocks catecholamine breakdown; combining with sympathomimetics can trigger hypertensive crisis.

    Do not combine.

Sources referenced

* DrugBank * Examine.com * U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) * PubChem * Mayo Clinic * MedlinePlus * Cochrane Library (for systematic review summaries) * U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Prescribing Information (for Nardil)

Stackwise compiles summaries from publicly available scientific and regulatory references. Always verify important decisions with a licensed clinician.

Related compounds

Others in the medication category or studied for the same goals.

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