Nardil Side Effects, and Drug Interactions - Phenelzine

Nardil Side Effects, and Drug Interactions - Phenelzine

SIDE EFFECTS

Nardil is a potent inhibitor of monoamine oxidase. Because this enzyme is widely distributed throughout the body, diverse pharmacologic effects can be expected to occur. When they occur, such effects tend to be mild or moderate in severity (see below), often subside as treatment continues, and can be minimized by adjusting dosage; rarely is it necessary to institute counteracting measures or to discontinue Nardil.

Common side effects include:

Nervous System  Dizziness, headache, drowsiness, sleep disturbances (including insomnia and hypersomnia), fatigue, weakness, tremors, twitching, myoclonic movements, hyperreflexia.

Gastrointestinal  Constipation, dry mouth, gastrointestinal disturbances, elevated serum transaminases (without accompanying signs and symptoms).

Metabolic  Weight gain.

Cardiovascular  Postural hypotension, edema.

Genitourinary  Sexual disturbances, eg, anorgasmia and ejaculatory disturbances and impotence.

Less common mild to moderate side effects (some of which have been reported in a single patient or by a single physician) include:

Nervous System  Jitteriness, palilalia, euphoria, nystagmus, paresthesias.

Genitourinary  Urinary retention.

Metabolic Hypernatremia.

Dermatologic  Pruritus, Skin rash, sweating.

Special Senses  Blurred vision, glaucoma.

Although reported less frequently, and sometimes only once, additional severe side effects include:

Nervous System  Ataxia, shock-like coma, toxic delirium, manic reaction, convulsions, acute anxiety reaction, precipitation of schizophrenia, transient respiratory and cardiovascular depression following ECT.

Gastrointestinal  To date, fatal progressive necrotizing hepatocellular damage has been reported in a very few patients. Reversible jaundice.

Hematologic  Leukopenia.

Immunologic  Lupus-like syndrome.

Metabolic  Hypermetabolic syndrome (which may include, but is not limited to, hyperpyrexia, tachycardia, tachypnea, muscular rigidity, elevated CK levels, metabolic acidosis, hypoxia, coma and may resemble an overdose).

Respiratory  Edema of the glottis.

General  Fever associated with increased muscle tone.

Withdrawal may be associated with nausea, vomiting, and malaise.

An uncommon withdrawal syndrome following abrupt withdrawal of Nardil has been infrequently reported. Signs and symptoms of this syndrome generally commence 24 to 72 hours after drug discontinuation and may range from vivid nightmares with agitation to frank psychosis and convulsions. This syndrome generally responds to reinstitution of low-dose Nardil therapy followed by cautious downward titration and discontinuation.

In patients receiving nonselective monoamine oxidase (MOA) inhibitors in combination with serotoninergic agents (e.g., dexfenfluramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafexine) there have been reports of serious, sometimes fatal, reactions. Because Nardil is a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, Nardil should not be used concomitantly with a serotoninergic agent (See CONTRAINDICATIONS).