Phenelzine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• Lin...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 1, 2019

Phenelzine for Depression "Suffered agoraphobia, anxiety, and depression, but Nardil has been my lifesaver and I’ve done things I’d never thought I could, flying abroad, etc. I had to stop almost cold turkey as I couldn’t get tabs, been awful!! Depressed, nausea, feeling sweats, heart racing. After a month, managed to get tablets from a pharmacy that delivers to the door, 1 week on 15 mg, now 2nd day on 30 mg, NEVER take more than that. Still suffering bouts of tears, tiredness, and loss of appetite. Lost 10 lb since stopping. GOT TO THINK POSITIVE AS I KNOW THEY WORK!!!"

• Bet...
• July 8, 2021

Phenelzine for Depression "Many years ago, I was given Nardil because other antidepressants were not working. Shortly after starting low-dose Nardil, I was so much better. I told my doctor I could hear the birds singing and was aware of many things in my surroundings that I usually don’t notice. This drug gave me the ability to work, lose weight, and handle relationship issues. I was extremely careful with diet restrictions and only had one episode of high blood pressure after accidentally eating a small piece of kielbasa. I was on the medication for two years but had to stop when I became pregnant. Currently, I take an SSRI. My current physician will not prescribe Nardil now. I am older with a few medical issues. I wish there was a drug like this without the restrictions and concern over high blood pressure. If anyone is reading this and needs medication that will help because SSRIs don’t, ask your physician about Nardil or other MAO inhibitors. An amazing medication!"

• Noa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 28, 2023

Phenelzine "Severe social anxiety and treatment-resistant depression had become constant companions in my life, overshadowing any sense of joy or fulfillment. Despite years of trying different medications and therapies, I felt like I was stuck in a never-ending cycle of despair. That was until I discovered Nardil. From the moment I started taking it, I noticed a significant shift in my social anxiety. The racing thoughts and paralyzing fear began to subside, allowing me to engage in social situations with greater confidence and ease. Nardil gave me the ability to navigate social interactions without the constant worry of being judged or rejected. Nardil also proved to be a game-changer in my battle against treatment-resistant depression. It lifted the heavy fog of sadness and despair, replacing it with a renewed sense of hope and optimism. Nardil has truly been a lifeline for me."

• Jim...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 30, 2020

Phenelzine for Depression "I think Nardil is the best antidepressant. I have tried at least a dozen drugs (SSRI, SNRI, Mirtazapine, Tricyclics). Only Nardil produced a response for my depression, anxiety, and panic disorder. If you have any of these mental health conditions, do yourself a favor, and get on Nardil if you really want a recovery!"

• xza...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 29, 2017

Phenelzine for Depression "I took Nardil for 4 years. It changed my personality drastically. I went from depressed and withdrawn to hypomanic (which is like halfway to fully manic). Much more sociable, and I also became a workaholic. The side effects were intolerable - extreme weight gain (gained 50 lbs, which brought me over 200 lbs. I had never been overweight before or since) and anorgasmia. I did prefer hypomania to unipolar depression, but eventually, I pooped out on it as everyone seems to do in these designer ADs within a few years. There was a study that found that MAOIs like Nardil can permanently damage your mu receptors, preventing you from having the capability to experience euphoria, and that happened to me also. I wish I had never taken any of those drugs."

• Mel...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 8, 2021

Phenelzine for Depression "After trying many others, an enlightened doctor prescribed Nardil, and it was a life saver. I was able to lead a relatively normal life! The food restrictions are not as extreme as advised, in my opinion. Recently, supplies were cut on the NHS, but I had to import my supplies. Despite the NHS warning doctors many months ago, I was not contacted. Recently, supplies have been easier to source, but I always dread that visit to the chemists."

• Lin...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 3, 2023

Phenelzine for Depression "I’ve been taking Nardil for over 30 years for depression, anxiety, and agoraphobia. They gave me my life back. A few times, tabs were unavailable, and symptoms returned. It takes several weeks to get into your system, and coming off them can make you feel very nauseous and generally unwell. However, it’s worth it! I do check what I eat and drink, but some things you can have just in low amounts. I don’t drink any form of alcohol or drink with phenylalanine."

• Cat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 11, 2023

For Depression "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."

• lin...
• August 13, 2011

Phenelzine "Nardil was definitely my wonder medicine. From being scared to go out my door or have visitors, I eventually worked in a large secondary school, moved house, and achieved many things I never dreamt I would do. BUT then I was informed it was being discontinued. I was then put on isocarboxazid and had problems getting those, so then put on Menerix and my condition returned. I have just tried CYMBALTA, but having bad side effects, so told to come off. Wish I knew what medicine was as good as Nardil."

• Nar...
• January 4, 2022

Phenelzine for Depression "Nardil is life-changing. After trying about a dozen antidepressants in other med classes, as well as ECT, a new psychiatrist prescribed Nardil. I felt not just normal but happy in about a month. For several months, I was sleeping well and waking up early (7) and was working out, eating well, had good hygiene, was reading, etc. However, eventually, I had incurable insomnia. For someone with bipolar, this is a major problem. We are trying another MAOI (EMSAM) instead. I am so disappointed I couldn’t stay on Nardil as it really managed my depression very well. (Heads up if you try to wean yourself off Nardil, the withdrawals are unbearable.)"

• Bub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2016

Phenelzine for Depression "After trying every other kind of antidepressant over the past 9 or so years, Nardil was my first try at an MAOI. The dietary restrictions were less difficult to get used to and less strict than they appeared at first. I was on 30 mg of Nardil a day and didn't notice any effect, but after increasing to 45 mg/day, I felt the best I've felt in years, and it seemed that my depression might be cured at last. ...however, I also had the most side effects I've ever had from a medication: constipation, difficulty urinating, insomnia, and inability to reach an orgasm. Because of the bladder issues and insomnia, I've been forced to resume my search."

• Lor...
• April 17, 2012

Phenelzine for Depression "I took Nardil for 21 years. It worked better than anything else until the dose was increased from 10 to 40 mg per day. None of my physicians were able to diagnose the cause of the grotesque swelling of my legs. A friend suggested it might be the Nardil; I quit taking it and proved her right. Even in reduced doses, the swelling persisted. I now take something else."

• Sun...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 11, 2022

Phenelzine for Depression "I think of Nardil as my happy pills. I’m treatment resistant, and even ECT didn’t help my depression. On Nardil, it is GONE, no relapse ever. There are bad side effects: BAD insomnia, sexual dysfunction, interactions with lots of meds, blood pressure crisis, and impossible withdrawal effects if you miss a dose or try to wean off for some reason. It is also sometimes out of stock. All that being said, it’s still worth it. I can’t function without it. I WISH I could find ANYTHING to help me sleep."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 11, 2012

Phenelzine for Depression "I took Nardil from '88 to '98, and it worked well. Then I was switched to Paxil, which had a lot of side effects (weight gain, sexual issues, tiredness, sense of not really being there). Paxil was probably better for OCD, but I came off it (had shocking withdrawal symptoms)."

• Ral...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 20, 2019

Phenelzine for Depression "I recently had a stomach virus for 12 hours of nausea and diarrhea. I didn't take my normal dosage of Nardil for a day. Started back on the regular dose. It has been 4 days since starting back on. I have been experiencing nightmares every night, the same dream which seems to continue from the previous night. Feelings of fatigue, irritability, and stomach upset continue."

• Mot...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 15, 2019

Phenelzine "I have been taking phenelzine/Nardil for the last 34 years and have been very well during that time. I thought I would have enough tablets to see me through until October when they were due to become available again. As anyone in the UK will know, the supply date has been moved to March 2020. I’m now back to square one, not having enough tablets to last. I bought some from Canada, but they are currently unavailable now, and my pharmacist has been trying all the wholesalers that import in this country, but up to now hasn’t had any success. Does anyone know where I can currently obtain some? Any suggestions would be really appreciated. I joined the phenelzine group and the Nardil group on this website, but haven’t had any luck there either. Fingers crossed."

• Jam...
• June 5, 2020

For Depression "I live in the UK. I was put on Nardil in the 1980s when I was 25. I was suffering from bad phobias and anxiety attacks. Adrenaline was running riot, and I lost weight, had a red face and nose, and was close to not leaving my house. They saved my life, and I have been on them for nearly 35 years. I have tried a couple of times to come off them but felt awful. I am fortunate my doctors get me unlicensed import supplies, but they do cost a fortune, the pharmacy showed me the prices. I have to wait a long time for each prescription as Clinigen charges around £40 per 60 tabs for the unbranded phenelzine but are out of stock, and the Nardil branded ones are around £220 per 60 tabs! The UK supplier to NHS charged around £20 per 100 tablets. All about money, and my pharmacist asked if I could try and come off them, the biggest fear is that they are stopped from being produced. If so, I don't think I will have a life to live, it's so scary."

• Sch...
• March 18, 2020

Phenelzine for Depression "Re: Nardil. The manufacturer, Kyowa Kirin, emailed me today to confirm there is no guarantee the drug will become available. Please note to all NHS patients: DO NOT be fobbed off by your GP saying he cannot get involved with funding the difference between the cost of Nardil and phenelzine sulfate import as a special case. My GP did this to me! So this is what I did: I called my CCG press office and put the fear of God in the staff! I emailed a strong, urgent letter to be forwarded to the head of complaints, stating that this matter cannot wait 28 days for a formal response. I explained that my NHS GP issued a script for Nardil, and when I took the script to the pharmacy, I was told, “We are running a business, not a bank!” They asked me to pay £99 plus postage for 60 tablets."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 21, 2023

Phenelzine "Experienced extreme anxiety and panic attacks for many years. Ruined my life, took my life away. Couldn’t live in my own skin. After many tests to rule out any serious illness, I tried just about all other medicines on the market… to no avail, nothing worked. I really thought life was over. My doctor, as a final resolution, prescribed Nardil. After explaining all the side effects and dangers involved with other foods and medicines, I decided to try one last medication. Within a month, I started to have less panic attacks and anxiety. I stopped throwing up all the time and was able to actually eat and enjoy a meal. Nardil saved my life. Two years ago, I tried to go off of it and try alternative medicines. After almost 9 months of anxiety and non-stop panic attacks again due to all medicines failing again, I went back on Nardil to get my life back. I will be on it the rest of my life. I also can eat pretty much anything too with caution because of the side effects."

• Chi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 26, 2016

Phenelzine for Depression "I am currently taking 15 mg three times per day (total of 45 mg). The first month was the worst. The main side effect that I had was body aches and muscle stiffness that never lessened. Once a month passed, the body aches went away and I noticed a faint constant headache. After about a week, that went away too. The only side effect I notice now (after 2 months on Nardil) is a pounding headache lasting 10 seconds, lightheadedness when I get up to stand from lying down, and swelling. I give it 4/10 because it has made my suicidal thoughts disappear, and I am less teary and emotional. It has not helped my overall mood or general sense of well-being. I find the dietary restrictions hard to follow."

• my1...
• July 16, 2010

Phenelzine for Migraine Prevention "I've been on Nardil for migraine prevention, probably 5 years now. My neurologist prescribed it after nothing else would work, including Depakote and Topamax. My original dosage was 15 mg 3 times a day. I tried going off of it last year, 1 pill per week, as directed by my neurologist, but it was a horrible experience with 3 weeks of diarrhea, weakness, and depression, so I cut it down to 1/2 pill per week. Still a bad experience. Had to go back on it. Tried again this summer, cutting it by 1/4 pill per week...much better results. However, when I was down to the last pill in the morning, migraines hit with a vengeance. I've upped it back to 1.5 pills per day. I plan to try to decrease again, but even slower. Other than migraines returning aggressively, no bad experience this time."

• Cha...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 18, 2021

Phenelzine for Depression "Pfizer wants to stop this drug. They make peanuts from the sale of Nardil. In 2002, they changed the inactive ingredients from the original 15 to a garbage 8. This was so the pill would not be too effective. Google old Nardil pill. Shiny, very, very hard pill a bulldozer couldn't crush. Active ingredient phenelzine needs a slow, slow absorption rate. Research it at fda.drugs. Complain loudly to the MedWatch form. Good luck!"

• Che...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 5, 2020

For Depression "I’ve been taking Nardil for 14 years. It is the only medication that helped me. I was hospitalized and given ECT, but nothing worked but Nardil. Like many others, I am worried about the shortage of Nardil. I live in the USA. Has anyone been able to transition to another MAOI?"

• lap...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 2, 2024

For Depression "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."

• Kar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 11, 2022

Phenelzine for Depression "The first doctor I saw was pro-Prozac, and it did not work. Found another doctor, and he put me on Nardil. I did not like it at all. I gained about 50 pounds while in the hospital and another 60 when I got out. I went to him about the weight gain early on, and he did not seem concerned. I have never been overweight. It caused a major craving for sweets and really slowed my metabolism, even though I was working out. I guess that I am one of the rare ones that it didn't help. I'm glad that you all found success."