Phenelzine for Depression User Reviews (Page 5)

• CatMom
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 11, 2023

"My psychiatrist ruined many years of my life by not prescribing me Nardil after every single antidepressant didn't work. I suffered for so long. She even made me have ECT treatments, which was terrifying and didn't work, before even mentioning Nardil. Once my psychiatrist finally put me on Nardil, my life completely changed. I was even able to deal with the unexpected death of my husband and other major things in my life. I dropped my psychiatrist I was seeing because of how horrible and rude she was. Now my primary care doctor is too scared to prescribe my Nardil and wants me to see another psychiatrist to get my script. I don't want to deal with any of them anymore. Psychiatrists and therapists ruined so many years of my life and I'm terrified to even speak to them. Nardil saved me. I currently take 15mg in the morning and evening with no side effects."

• memr
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 22, 2020

"Phenelzine changed my life. I was on all the other types of antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilisers, had ETC, did DBT, CBT, etc. I was in hospital for most of a period of 3 years before my doctor put me on phenelzine. I've been on it all my adult life but didn't think I'd make it past 21 before that. It's allowed me to thrive in a way I never thought I'd have a chance to. I'm scared of what will happen now that there's a shortage. I don't want to go back to the place I was before. I believe that I, like many others, I don't know how I would face life without phenelzine. It's inhumane to be held hostage like this by drug companies."

• Crazy...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 13, 2021

"Nardil was prescribed to me 35 years ago initially for post natal depression and anxiety. No other antidepressants had worked for me until Nardil. It gave me hope and a light at the end of a very dark tunnel and I could live a normal life again. I would definitely recommend Nardil for Treatment Resistant Depression."

• Retha
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 9, 2016

"I have bipolar disorder that stays on the depressed side, so I also take 750 MG of lithium in addition to 60 MG of Nardil. I've taken every TCA, every SSRI, and SSNRI. I have AARP insurance, the add-on to Medicare. Nardil is a Tier 4 drug, about $95/mo. I've taken everything else, the drug was dropped to a Tier 1. I changed all my meds to Optum RX, and for 90 days of Tier 1 or 2 meds, I pay $0. Nardil is the most effective antidepressant I've taken. The dietary restrictions are not a problem, but I cheat and have coffee. The problem is the lack of coordination if you need elective surgery. Communication between the anesthesiologist, psychiatrist, retina specialist/surgeon, and 3 RNP's is pitiful. Anesthesiologist refuses to meet with me."

• Gjg
• March 8, 2020

"Like many people on this website, I'm afraid I'll have to stop taking Nardil due to the shortage (I'm Canadian). This medication is wonderful; it gave me my brain back. Nothing else treated my depression before. I was always so weak I was always looking to a place to be sit, and Nardil allowed me to be energetic as before. Last month, I found a chain of pharmacy that had a provider that was able to provide Nardil. Now they are backorder too. I'm already tapering Nardil and I'm scared!"

• Sammy
• April 11, 2020

"April10, 2020 I went on Nardil after I went through a postpartum depression many years ago. When I went to renew my prescription this month my pharmacist told me my doctor would have to put me on another medication. I now need to find a new source for Nardil."

• Parva...
• April 4, 2015

"Nardil was a last resort drug for me, after 25 years of trying anything, including a vagus nerve implant and electroconvulsive therapy to treat life-long major depression. I have never been sure if it works or not. I still have major depressive episodes - an increase in the medication seems to help. However, side effects such as fatigue to the point where I cannot take another step, hypomanic episodes, a feeling of "bugs" crawling on under my skin, and an 80 pound weight gain makes me want to stop taking the medication. I have stopped and restarted it a couple times over the past 6 years, and am unsure if it really helps or not. If you plan to start taking it, I would advise to keep track of side effects you might not relate to Nardil."

• Bigkohn
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 11, 2020

"I had been a heavy drinker from the time I was 15 until I was 35, when I stopped alcohol for good. Shortly after I stopped drinking, I had my first panic attack. I saw a psychiatrist who prescribed an antipsychotic drug. I tried most of the tricyclic drugs over the next couple of years. These either didn't work or side effects were intolerable. My physician referred me to a psychiatrist who immediately prescribed Nardil. Thirty three years later, I 'm stable being on Nardil. I haven't had problems with food interactions as I've checked my BP over the years when trying different foods. The only drawback of Nardil is having to have pharmacies order it every time I need it. The worst situation was when the manufacturer got behind on a supply of Nardil. I phoned over 20 different drug stores only to find out they had no Nardil either. Cold turkey with no advance warning of the shortage. Drug manufacturers don't have to let their customers know when they have no supply left."

• Andy5...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 30, 2020

"Having taken Nardil for 35 years the drug has allowed me to have a successful career in a position of responsibility as a senior engineering manager. I also have an active social life (pre Covid) and am a qualified tennis tournament referee. I have experienced few side effects. In the first years of taking it I experienced the tyramine reaction. However very few substances trigger it and I have not had a reaction for over 30 years. The current shortage (and in some countries withdrawal) is worrying. Terrific drug"

• Survi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 30, 2021

"Nardil is a total game-changer for depression. My diagnosis is Bipolar II and Nardil completely changed my world, pulling me out of a debilitating depressive episode that none of the 6-8 drugs I tried, nor the 18 ECT treatments I received, even touched. I started Nardil 20 years ago, am still on it, and have not had a depressive episode since. In fact, I've been happier since Nardil than I ever was before, even when I wasn't depressed. It completely raised my baseline level of happiness, ease and contentment. And I don't feel like I'm "on anything"--I feel like the best possible version of myself. I'm not religious, but I consider Nardil to be greatness in a little orange pill."

• CJano
• February 24, 2020

"This medication has truly been a lifesaver for me. I'm 29, female and have struggled since I was 13 with OCD, major depression and anxiety. I've literally tried all the other drug classes of antidepressants and none have worked as well as Nardil. I felt great after about a week and my energy levels are so high, that I have to set an alarm to actually sleep! Unfortunately when I first started on 45mg daily, I was having crazy nightmares and sleep paralysis. I dropped my dose to 30mg daily with the help of my doctor (because I'm underweight as well). When I eventually gain weight, I'll go up to the normal dose. No bad side effects whatsoever except appetite suppression. This isn't good for me because I'm already underweight. Working with a dietitician soon though. 10/10 for this drug! Please keep manufacturing it Canada!"

• daryl
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 4, 2020

"phenelzine is an excellent medication. Nothing compares. Been on it 20 years and now having all sorts of problems getting it here in Australia. Had the Canadian one imported, which was the same as the Australian, but now there are problems with getting it in. Very concerned about what will happen. I have tried to change to Parnate before, but Parnate did nothing for me and I had a heap of withdrawal effects from the Nardil. I really hope this is sorted out."

• Withd...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 9, 2023

"This is actually a really effective medication but for me after a year the side effects are too harsh. Massive weight gain and excessive sweating! I’m currently trying to get off and the withdrawals are horrendous! If I’d known they were this bad I would never have started it"

• Lily
• November 12, 2019

"Having taken Nardil very successfully for over 40 years - 10 days ago I was told by my GP that it was unavailable in the UK until March 2020- that I would have to come off it for 15 days before trying Sertraline— I was absolutely NOT going to accept going Cold Turkey & was referred to a consultant- who fortunately can get a supply- I hope other patients haven't been fobbed off with this attitude"

• Marca
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 13, 2020

"I have TRD, MDD and failed every SSRI, SNRI, several TCAs, trazadone, Wellbutrin, ECT. On phenelzine I woke up, not just able to face the day, but happy to. I had severe orthostatic hypotension. MD. advised compression tights, extra salt, more fluids. That wasn’t enough. I took fludrocortisone and midodrine and eventually was able to dc them and maintain BP. Later I had neuro symptoms and swelling in my hands and feet. Negative work ups for various problems. It was suggested phenelzine was the issue. I decreased it and problems resolved. Decreasing it was hell. MDD returned with crippling anxiety. Turns out I didn’t need to decreased as the problem was not direct effect of phenelzine. MD did not reduce from max to a maintenance dose and phenelzine causes pyridoxine (B6) deficiency, which explains all the neuro and joint issues. I could have taken a supplement. If it works for you, work with MD to manage side effects before dc’ing."

• Heyse...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 14, 2020

"I have used Nardil for years. Like 30 years. My doctor tried every depression medication, had side effects, gained weight craved sweets the list continues. Started Nardil positive effects were within a week of starting. At one time had to increase the amount I took. Two years ago I was able to cut back from 5 a day to 3. I will not stop this medication because I do not ever go back to that deep dark hole I had with depression. It can not be discontinued. PLEASE"

• Efesto
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 5, 2021

"My depression started 20 years ago once one of my relatives died. I tried all different medications available. Finally I got phenelzine. I works much better than any other drug! Side effects slowly go away in 3 to 6 month. I started with 15mg and I increased my dosage 15 x week, this is the best way, once I reach 60 a day, in 3 weeks the depression went away like magic. I take 30mg in the morning and 30mg at launch always with food. Working out, in the beginning it was harder, now I have a well shaped body, training 5 times a week. Foods interactions are not a big issue, I only avoid aged cheese and spoiled foods. Alcohol, I drink everything but Chianti. It makes you sleepy under phenelzine so I usually no more then a glass. Sex, at the beginning side effects are strong for a male, but after 5 months erections came back, only issue is that is harder to ejaculate. Constipation was hard to manage, now it is okay. Do your best to get it! Even if it is expensive as it will save you life."

• lapew
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 2, 2024

"An excellent medication. Wiped out all signs of my depression, and greatly helped my OCD/anxiety. Quite a few side effects at the start of treatment, but all eased over time. I need a minimum dose of 60mg daily."

• Cosis
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 9, 2017

Nardil (phenelzine) "Nardil is an amazing drug. I honestly do not know where I would be without it. I wish more doctors would be willing to prescribe it to people."

• Bella...
• February 7, 2014

Nardil (phenelzine) "Saved my life! Had major postpartum tried for 3 months on different antidepressants nothing worked until Nardil ! Thank you Nardil ..."

• julie...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 6, 2020

Nardil (phenelzine) "google "Nardil: A Pharmaceutical Secret Weapon?" we want nardil back.. save lot of lifes! please! I take Nardil for panic attacks "

• Crawf...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 13, 2017

Nardil (phenelzine) "Nardil is the only antidepressant that has worked for me. I️ have a bit of insomnia on it but at least I️ have motivation and don’t get upset with people like I️ used to."

• Nick
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 11, 2018

Nardil (phenelzine) "I've been on 60mg day for nearly 20 years. Although not easy, low carb diet will beat weight gain."

• Wissie
• February 25, 2018

Nardil (phenelzine) "I’ve taken Nardil for over 40 years, it’s an excellent drug, the diet & med restrictions are well worth it... Be sure you carry your card or have a medical bracelet"

• Rally...
• January 22, 2018

Nardil (phenelzine) "On 90mg (45mgX2 daily) for 2 years effectively reversed Depression. Cons weight gain 20lbs, inability to have orgasm. Weak erections."