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Brand: Nardil
Published 2025-09-28 · Last reviewed 2025-10-05 · 5 references
Content sourced from FDA labeling (DailyMed) and peer-reviewed literature.
Phenelzine (Nardil) is a non-selective, irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor reserved for treatment-resistant depression, atypical depression, and select anxiety disorders managed in specialty settings.
Because it permanently inactivates MAO-A/B, strict dietary tyramine restrictions, comprehensive interaction screening, and crisis planning are mandatory throughout therapy.
The compare view and the Phenelzine evidence feed can help align diet, washout, and titration planning across MAOIs.
Phenelzine is safest when prescribed within an MAOI-experienced program that can provide written diet/interaction lists, teach-back education, and an emergency plan for hypertensive symptoms.
Many MAOI programs use standardized food/medication checklists and pharmacy review to reduce interaction errors; MAO inhibition persists for 1–2 weeks after discontinuation, which shapes washout planning.
Coordinate pharmacy access, provide medical alert identification, and review emergency responses for hypertensive crises or serotonin syndrome at every visit.
View labelExactRefer to the Glossary entry on Neurotransmitters for background on receptor systems involved in serious mental illness.
Irreversibly inhibits MAO-A and MAO-B, elevating serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and phenethylamine; enzyme activity recovers only after new synthesis (1–2 weeks post discontinuation).
Phenelzine monitoring is primarily safety-focused (BP + interaction and diet avoidance) for patients and caregivers. Because MAO inhibition persists after stopping, washout planning is as important as day-to-day dosing.