Nardil 15 mg tablets (phenelzine)

Nardil is a prescription antidepressant used for certain cases of depression, especially when other treatments have not helped enough. This page explains how the medicine works, what to know about dosing basics, and key safety topics like food and drug interactions. It also outlines practical handling steps for refills and travel with Ships from Canada to US access and cash-pay options for those without insurance.

Because phenelzine requires careful coordination, the sections below focus on label-based guidance and common “what to expect” questions. For broader browsing, see the Mental Health Category or the Depression Condition Hub.

What Nardil Is and How It Works

Phenelzine (the active ingredient) is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI; a type of antidepressant). MAOIs work by reducing the activity of monoamine oxidase enzymes, which break down certain brain chemicals. By slowing that breakdown, the treatment can increase levels of neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation. This is a different approach than SSRIs or SNRIs, which mainly affect serotonin (a mood-related messenger) or both serotonin and norepinephrine.

This medicine is typically reserved for situations where other antidepressants were not effective or were not tolerated. That “second-line” role is largely due to the important safety rules around diet and interactions. Those rules are manageable for many people, but they require planning and clear instructions from a prescriber and pharmacist.

Dispensing is arranged through licensed Canadian partner pharmacies.

Why it matters: MAOI therapy depends on avoiding specific interactions, not just taking tablets on schedule.

Who It’s For

Phenelzine tablets are generally used for depressive illnesses where symptoms have not improved with more commonly used antidepressants. A prescriber may consider it for adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) when an MAOI is clinically appropriate, especially after multiple prior options were tried. Decisions are individualized and should be grounded in medical history, current medicines, and the ability to follow food and drug restrictions.

It may not be appropriate for people with certain cardiovascular conditions, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or a history of severe headaches suggestive of blood pressure spikes. Some medical situations can increase risk, including certain liver problems or conditions where a blood pressure rise would be dangerous. This therapy also requires careful consideration in older adults and in anyone with complex medication lists.

MAOIs are contraindicated with many medicines because of the risk of hypertensive crisis (dangerous blood pressure spike) or serotonin syndrome (too much serotonin). Before starting, clinicians usually review recent antidepressant use, migraine treatments, stimulants, and cough/cold products. If there is uncertainty, it’s safer to pause and verify than to start quickly.

For supportive education around depression care pathways, the Mental Health Articles hub can provide broader context alongside clinician advice.

Dosage and Usage

Phenelzine is taken by mouth as tablets, and dosing is commonly split across the day. The product label describes a gradual approach: treatment often starts at a lower total daily dose and may be increased stepwise based on response and tolerability. After improvement, the daily amount may be reduced to a maintenance dose. Exact titration and the pace of changes are prescriber-directed, because patient factors and interaction risks can change the plan.

Nardil dosing should never be adjusted without the prescriber’s guidance. Stopping suddenly can be problematic, and switching from or to other antidepressants requires a washout period. In many cases, at least 14 days are needed between an MAOI and another serotonergic antidepressant; some drugs require a longer interval due to long half-lives. This is one of the most important safety steps to get right.

If a dose is missed, standard label-style guidance is to take the next dose at the usual time and avoid doubling up unless a prescriber specifically instructs otherwise. Keeping a written schedule helps, especially early in therapy when dosing may change. For related background on dosing concepts used with other antidepressants, see Escitalopram Dosage Guide as a general educational reference (not a substitute for MAOI instructions).

Strengths and Forms

This product is supplied as oral tablets. In many markets, phenelzine is commonly available as 15 mg tablets, and prescriptions are typically written in terms of a total daily dose divided into multiple administrations. Availability can vary by supplier and jurisdiction, so the dispensed format should match what the prescriber authorized and what the pharmacy can source.

Nardil 15 mg tablets may be described online using several naming conventions, including “phenelzine 15 mg tablets,” “phenelzine tablets,” or “Nardil phenelzine.” The active ingredient and strength should always be confirmed on the prescription label, along with the directions and any auxiliary warnings.

When reviewing a refill, confirm that the tablet strength matches the prescriber’s plan. If a pharmacy substitution is offered (brand vs generic), the prescriber or pharmacist can clarify whether anything about the directions needs to change.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store phenelzine tablets at room temperature in a dry place, protected from excess heat and moisture. Bathrooms and kitchens can expose medicines to humidity and temperature swings, so a bedroom drawer or a dedicated medicine box is often a better choice. Keep the container tightly closed and use the original labeled bottle when possible.

For travel, keep tablets in carry-on luggage to reduce temperature extremes and the risk of lost bags. Bring enough for the full trip, plus a small buffer in case of delays. Because MAOIs have important interaction rules, carrying a current medication list can help if urgent care is needed away from home.

Quick tip: Save a photo of the prescription label and warning stickers for reference.

If tablets appear discolored, crumble easily, or have been exposed to significant heat, ask a pharmacist before using them. Proper storage supports consistent dosing and reduces the chance of mix-ups when multiple medicines are kept together.

Side Effects and Safety

Like many antidepressants, phenelzine can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Commonly reported effects may include dizziness, sleep changes, fatigue, dry mouth, constipation, nausea, and sexual side effects. Some people notice changes in appetite or weight. These effects often relate to how the medicine influences neurotransmitters and the autonomic nervous system (the system that controls blood pressure, heart rate, and digestion).

Nardil can also cause orthostatic hypotension (a blood pressure drop when standing), which may present as lightheadedness or fainting risk. Standing up slowly, staying hydrated, and reviewing other blood-pressure-lowering medicines can be important, but any persistent dizziness should be discussed with a clinician. Sleep-related effects can go either way; some people feel sedated while others feel more activated.

Serious risks include hypertensive crisis, serotonin syndrome, and worsening mood symptoms or suicidal thoughts—particularly early in treatment or after dose changes. Seek urgent evaluation for severe headache, chest pain, stiff neck, confusion, high fever, marked agitation, or sudden vision changes. These symptoms can signal emergency reactions that should not be watched at home.

Prescriptions are checked with the prescriber before dispensing.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

MAOIs interact with many prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, and supplements. The highest-risk combinations include other antidepressants that affect serotonin, certain pain medicines, stimulants, and some migraine therapies. Many cough/cold products contain decongestants that can raise blood pressure, and some herbal products can affect serotonin. Because ingredient lists vary, it’s important to check with a pharmacist before taking “as needed” products.

A key safety step is the washout period when switching therapies. The timeline depends on the prior medicine, its dose, and how long it stays in the body. Fluoxetine, for example, can require a longer gap than many other antidepressants. Similarly, after stopping an MAOI, time is needed before starting interacting medicines.

Foods and beverages to avoid

Dietary restrictions are central to phenelzine safety. Foods high in tyramine (a natural compound in aged or fermented items) can trigger a dangerous blood pressure surge while taking an MAOI. Examples often include aged cheeses, cured meats, certain fermented soy products, and some tap beers or unpasteurized beverages. Specific lists vary by source, so patients should follow the prescriber’s and pharmacist’s written guidance and ask about any uncertain foods. When in doubt, avoid the item and verify first.

Alcohol and recreational substances can add sedation, worsen blood pressure effects, or complicate mood symptoms. Clinicians may also caution against abrupt caffeine increases if blood pressure is sensitive. A structured medication review—prescriptions, OTC items, vitamins, and supplements—is one of the best ways to reduce avoidable risk.

Compare With Alternatives

Depression treatment is individualized, and alternatives depend on prior response, side effects, and medical history. Some people use an MAOI only after trials of other antidepressant classes. Others may switch because of specific symptom patterns or tolerability issues. Any change should be planned with a prescriber due to washout timing and interaction concerns.

One alternative within the MAOI class is tranylcypromine, available on this site as Parnate 10mg. While both are MAOIs, dosing patterns, side effects, and prescriber preferences can differ. The same general interaction and tyramine precautions apply, and the same “verify everything” approach to OTC products remains important.

Many people start with SSRIs such as sertraline, which appears as Zoloft 100 Tablets. SSRIs generally have fewer dietary restrictions than MAOIs, but they still carry important interaction and side-effect considerations. For deeper educational reading on SSRI tolerability topics, see Zoloft Side Effects and Zoloft For Anxiety (for general context, not MAOI-specific guidance).

Other antidepressant classes include SNRIs (such as venlafaxine XR) and atypical agents (such as bupropion or mirtazapine). Each class has different tradeoffs around sleep, appetite, sexual effects, and discontinuation symptoms. Articles like Effexor XR Overview and Mirtazapine Vs Fluoxetine can help frame questions to bring to a clinician.

Pricing and Access

Costs for prescription antidepressants vary based on dose, quantity, and whether a brand or generic is dispensed. Some people specifically seek a cash-pay route when coverage is limited or when a plan’s formulary is restrictive. When evaluating overall expense, it can help to consider refill frequency, the prescriber’s follow-up schedule, and the need to avoid interacting OTC products that could trigger urgent visits.

Nardil requires a valid prescription, and the medication is not appropriate to start without a clinician’s oversight. BorderFreeHealth’s model supports cross-border access by routing requests to Canadian partner pharmacies while confirming prescription details prior to dispensing. That verification step helps reduce errors, especially with high-interaction therapies like MAOIs.

Cash-pay access is available when coverage is limited.

To proceed through the site, submit prescription and contact details, then choose prompt, express shipping if that option is available.

Authoritative Sources

For the most reliable details on indications, contraindications, and interaction timing, consult official labeling and vetted medication references:

• DailyMed labeling for phenelzine products provides FDA-style prescribing information.
• MedlinePlus phenelzine overview summarizes use, precautions, and side effects.
• FDA drug safety resources offer broader regulatory context on prescription medicines.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.