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- $Unique_ID{BRK03281}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{phenelzine}
- $Subject{Nardil Parke-Davis Monoamine oxidase MAO inhibitor phenelzine
- depression chemicals brain}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- phenelzine
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAME (Manufacturer)
-
- Nardil (Parke-Davis)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- phenelzine
-
- DOSAGE FORM
-
- Tablets (15 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Phenelzine should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed,
- light-resistant container.
-
- USES
-
- This medication is used to treat depression. Phenelzine belongs to a
- group of drugs known as monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. It is not clearly
- understood how it works, but it is thought to increase the amounts of certain
- chemicals in the brain that act to relieve depression.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- You can take phenelzine either on an empty stomach or, to avoid stomach
- irritation, with food or milk (as directed by your doctor).
- If you are taking a single daily dose, it is best to take the dose in the
- morning.
- If you miss a dose of this medication and remember within two hours, take
- the missed dose immediately and then return to your regular dosing schedule.
- If more than two hours has passed, do not take the missed dose at all; just
- return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose.
- The full therapeutic benefits of this medication may not be observed for
- up to four weeks after you start to take it.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue,
- headache, insomnia, nausea, restlessness, stomach upset, sweating, or
- weakness. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the
- medication.
- Phenelzine can increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid prolonged
- exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. Wear protective clothing and sunglasses,
- and use an effective sunscreen.
- If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a
- sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
- To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
- fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads) and drink more
- water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- To relieve mouth dryness, chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a
- piece of hard candy.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- anxiety, blurred vision, changes in sexual ability, chills, confusion,
- convulsions, darkened tongue, difficult or painful urination, fainting, false
- sense of well-being, hallucinations, jitteriness, mental disorders, rapid
- weight gain (three to five pounds within a week), uncoordinated movements, or
- yellowing of the eyes or skin.
- If you experience a severe headache, stiff neck, chest pains,
- palpitations, or vomiting while taking this medication, CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR OR
- AN EMERGENCY ROOM IMMEDIATELY. These symptoms may be the result of a food or
- drug interaction.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Phenelzine interacts with a number of drugs and foods:
- 1. Concurrent use of phenelzine with central nervous system depressants
- (such as alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle
- relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, phenothiazine tranquilizers, and
- sleeping medications) or with tricyclic antidepressants can lead to extreme
- drowsiness.
- 2. The dosage of anticonvulsant medications may need to be adjusted when
- phenelzine is started.
- 3. The use of phenelzine within 14 days of either another monoamine
- oxidase inhibitor or carbamazepine, cyclobenzaprine, methyldopa, guanethidine,
- reserpine, levodopa, meperidine or another narcotic, amphetamines, ephedrine,
- methylphenidate, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine, or a tricyclic
- antidepressant can lead to serious (sometimes fatal) side effects.
- 4. Tyramine-containing foods and beverages (aged cheeses, sour cream,
- yogurt, pickled herring, chicken livers, canned figs, raisins, bananas,
- avocados, soy sauce, broad bean pods, yeast extracts, beer, and certain
- wines), excessive amounts of caffeine-containing beverages (coffee, tea,
- cocoa, and cola), or chocolate can also cause serious reactions in patients on
- phenelzine therapy.
- 5. Phenelzine can increase the blood-sugar-lowering effects of insulin
- and oral antidiabetic medications.
- Before starting to take this medication, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR
- about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed
- above. Be sure you are aware of the foods that interact with phenelzine.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to phenelzine.
- * Before starting to take this medication, be sure to tell your doctor if
- you now have or if you have ever had asthma, bronchitis, diabetes mellitus,
- epilepsy, glaucoma, severe headaches, heart or blood vessel disease, kidney
- disease, liver disease, mental disorders, Parkinson's disease,
- pheochromocytoma, or thyroid disease.
- * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
- activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
- potentially dangerous machinery.
- * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
- to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
- * Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter
- (nonprescription) asthma, allergy, cough, cold, diet, or sinus preparations.
- Concurrent use of some of these products with phenelzine can lead to serious
- side effects.
- * If you also have angina, do not increase your amount of physical
- activity unless you first check with your doctor. Phenelzine can decrease the
- symptoms of angina without decreasing the risks of strenuous exercise.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Studies in animals
- have shown that phenelzine can cause birth defects if it is taken in high
- doses during pregnancy. Studies in humans have not been conducted. Also,
- tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of
- phenelzine may pass into breast milk.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-