Phenelzine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Functions & Usage

What is Phenelzine used for?

Phenelzine is a drug used to treat depression by restoring the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain. These drugs include antidepressants (monoamine oxidase inhibitors).

Phenelzine is able to improve one's mood and feelings. Usually, this medicine is used in people who have not responded to treatment with other medicines.

How do you use Phenelzine?

Read the pharmacist's applicable medication guidelines before starting phenelzine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

This medicine should be taken usually 1-3 times a day according to doctor's directions. This medicine may be taken with or without food. Dosage is based on medical condition and response to therapy.

To reduce the risk of side effects, your doctor may start at a low dose and gradually increase the dose. Once your condition improves and you are well for a while, your doctor may work with you to reduce your usual dose. Follow the doctor's instructions carefully. Do not take more or less or more of your medication than is prescribed. The condition will not improve any faster and the risk of side effects will increase.

Use this medicine regularly for maximum benefits. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day. It may take several weeks for the full medicinal benefits. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

This medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time or in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms (for example, anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, headache, weakness and diarrhea) may appear if you suddenly stop taking this medicine. To prevent withdrawal reactions, the doctor may reduce the dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.

Tell the doctor if the condition does not get better or gets worse.

How to store Phenelzine?

Store the medicine at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom and freeze medication. Medicines under different brands may have different storage methods. Check the product box for instructions on how to store it, or ask the pharmacist. Stay away from children and pets.

It is forbidden to flush the medicine in the toilet or throw it into the drain if not told to. Properly discard this product if it is past the deadline or is no longer needed. Consult a pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more in-depth details on how to safely dispose of the product.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be considered before using Phenelzine?

Before deciding to use this drug, the risks of using the drug must be weighed against its benefits. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this drug, the following should be considered:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. In addition, tell your health care professional if you have any other allergies, for example to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For over-the-counter products, read labels or packaged products carefully.

Children

Adequate studies have not been conducted on the relationship of age to the effects of phenelzine in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been confirmed.

Elderly

Adequate studies conducted to date have not shown that specific elderly disorders will limit the benefits of phenelzine in the elderly. However, older patients will more frequently experience age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in dosage for patients receiving phenelzine.

Is Phenelzine safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are not sufficient studies in women to determine risk when using this medicine during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Always consult your doctor to weigh the benefits and risks before using this medication. This medicine is included in the pregnancy risk category C. (A = no risk, B = no risk in some studies, C = there may be some risks, D = positive evidence of risk, X = contraindications, N = unknown).

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of Phenelzine?

Get emergency medical help if you experience signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor right away if you experience new or worsening symptoms such as: changes in mood or habits, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thought of committing suicide or hurting yourself.

Stop using Phenelzine and contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects such as:

• Sudden and severe headache, very fast heartbeat, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, cold sweats, sweating, vision problems, sensitivity to light
• Shortness of breath, fast or slow heart rate
• Swelling, weight gain
• Irritability, unnatural thoughts or habits
• Feel like passing out

Milder side effects may include:

• Dizzy
• Feeling weak or sleepy
• Sleep disturbance (insomnia)
• Constipation, stomach pain
• Dry mouth, less urination
• Impotence, difficulty orgasm

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug Interactions

What drugs can interfere with the drug Phenelzine?

Using this medication with the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this drug or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Amitriptyline
• Amoxapine
• Amphetamine
• Apraclonidine
• Atomoxetine
• Benzphetamine
• Brimonidine
• Bromocriptine
• Bupropion
• Buspirone
• Carbamazepine
• Carbidopa
• Carbinoxamine
• Citalopram
• Clomipramine
• Clovoxamine
• Cocaine
• Cyclobenzaprine
• Cyproheptadine
• Desipramine
• Desvenlafaxine
• Dexfenfluramine
• Dexmethylphenidate
• Dextroamphetamine
• Dextromethorphan
• Diethylpropion
• Dopamine
• Doxylamine
• Duloxetine
• Entacapone
• Epinephrine
• Escitalopram
• Femoxetine
• Fenfluramine
• Fluoxetine
• Fluvoxamine
• Guanadrel
• Guanethidine
• Hydroxytryptophan
• Imipramine
• Isocarboxazid
• Isometheptene
• Levodopa
• Levomethadyl
• Levomilnacipran
• Linezolid
• Lisdexamfetamine
• Maprotiline
• Mazindol
• Meperidine
• Mephentermine
• Methadone
• Methamphetamine
• Methotrimeprazine
• Methyldopa
• Methylene Blue
• Methylphenidate
• Milnacipran
• Mirtazapine
• Nefazodone
• Nefopam
• Norepinephrine
• Nortriptyline
• Opipramol
• Paroxetine
• Phendimetrazine
• Phenelzine
• Phenmetrazine
• Phentermine
• Phenylalanine
• Phenylephrine
• Phenylpropanolamine
• Procarbazine
• Protriptyline
• Pseudoephedrine
• Rasagiline
• Reserpine
• Rizatriptan
• Selegiline
• Sertraline
• Sibutramine
• Sumatriptan
• Tapentadol
• Tetrabenazine
• Tranylcypromine
• Trazodone
• Trimipramine
• Tryptophan
• Venlafaxine
• Vilazodone
• Vortioxetine
• Zolmitriptan

Using this medication with the medicines below is usually not recommended, but may be needed in some cases. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or the length of time you take one or both drugs.

• Albuterol
• Altretamine
• Arformoterol
• Avocado
• Bambuterol
• Bitter Orange
• Clenbuterol
• Colterol
• Difenoxin
• Diphenoxylate
• Dolasetron
• Dothiepin
• Doxepin
• Droperidol
• Ephedrine
• Ethchlorvynol
• Phenoterol
• Fentanyl
• Formoterol
• Frovatriptan
• Granisetron
• Guarana
• Hexoprenaline
• Hydrocodone
• Hydromorphone
• Indacaterol
• Iobenguane I 123
• Isoetharine
• Kava
• Levalbuterol
• Licorice
• Lithium
• Lofepramine
• Lorcaserin
• Ma Huang
• Mate
• Metaproterenol
• Metaraminol
• Metoclopramide
• Morphine
• Morphine Sulfate Liposome
• Naratriptan
• Olodaterol
• Oxycodone
• Palonosetron
• Pirbuterol
• Procaterol
• Reboxetine
• Reproterol
• Ritodrine
• Salmeterol
• St. John's Wort
• Terbutaline
• Tolcapone
• Tramadol
• Tretoquinol
• Tulobuterol
• Tyrosine
• Vilanterol

Using this medication with the medicines below may increase your risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or the length of time you take one of the two drugs.

• Acarbose
• Acetohexamide
• Benfluorex
• Chlorpropamide
• Ginseng
• Gliclazide
• Glimepiride
• Glipizide
• Gliquidone
• Glyburide
• Guar Gum
• Insulin
• Aspart Insulin, Recombinant
• Degludec Insulin
• Insulin Detemir
• Insulin Glargine, Recombinant
• Glulisine Insulin
• Human Regular Insulin
• Lyspro Insulin, Recombinant
• Metformin
• Metoprolol
• Miglitol
• Nadolol
• Repaglinide
• Tolazamide
• Tolbutamide
• Troglitazone

Can certain foods and drinks interfere with the drug Phenelzine?

Certain drugs cannot be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their significant potential and are not necessarily all inclusive.

Using this medication with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may not be avoided in some cases. When used together, your doctor may change the dose or length of time you use this medication, or give specific instructions about using food, alcohol, or tobacco.

• Caffeine
• Dopamine-containing foods
• Foods that contain tyramine

What health conditions can interfere with the performance of the drug Phenelzine?

The presence of other medical disorders may affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Bipolar disorder (mania-depression)
• Congestive heart failure
• Kidney disease, severe
• Liver disease, history
• Pheochromocytoma (adrenal disorder) - should not be used in patients with this condition.
• Diabetes
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Schizophrenia - use with caution. It might aggravate this condition.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for a doctor's prescription. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Phenelzine for adults?

Usual adult dosage for depression

Initial dose: 15 mg orally 3 times a day.

Dosage rule: Dosage should be increased to at least 60 mg per day and in some cases 90 mg per day will be needed to achieve sufficient Mao inhibition. After the maximum benefit has been achieved, the dosage may be reduced slowly over the course of a few weeks by as much as 15 mg per day or every other day.

What is the dosage of Phenelzine for children?

Safety and effectiveness have not been determined in pediatric patients (less than 18 years).

In what dosage and preparation is Phenelzine available?

Tablet, oral: 15 mg

What to do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (118/119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department. Overdose symptoms may include:

• Sleepy
• Dizzy
• Fainting
• Easy to get angry
• Hyperactive
• Agitation
• Headache
• Hallucinations (seeing objects or hearing sounds that are not real)
• Jaw hardened, twitched (difficult to move)
• Back that is difficult to arch
• Convulsions
• Coma (loss of consciousness over a period of time)
• Pulse fast, irregular
• Hard to breathe
• Breathing slows down
• Fever
• Sweating
• Cool, moist skin

What should I do if I forget to take medicine or forget to take medicine?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.