Phenelzine User Reviews & Ratings

• Angel
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 1, 2020

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "Nardil changed my life. I have tried almost every SSRI, SNRI, the atypicals and buspirone, etc for social anxiety disorder. They don't come close to Nardil. I have atypical depression, social anxiety, GAD, and ADD. The side effects are low blood pressure and insomnia. Easily treated with meds. I have tried everything on the banned food list and never had any slight increase whatsoever in BP. I am convinced the tyramine thing is just an old myth. When I first tried Nardil it was like a light came on after living my whole life in the dark. I will be on this med for the rest of my life as long as they keep making it."

• SFC
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 24, 2021

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "The stupidity and laziness of most practitioners refusal to prescribe MAOIs/Nardil ruined 10 years of my life. When I finally was allowed it, my anxiety and depression simply vanished overnight after just two weeks on it. All that time messing about with SSRI's etc, all those years slowly losing the will to live, the misery....and bang...gone overnight Doctors, it will take you ten mins on the internet to learn that these are safe drugs...10 mins...and you are on 100k salaries. Depression is in huge numbers now so earn your money instead of just giving old Edna some bunion cream"

• Veron...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 21, 2019

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "Nardil has helped me amazingly for over 40 years. When I was told it was no longer available in early October my GP told me I must have a 15 day gap before being prescribed another group - unhelpful being an understatement! However, I asked her to refer me to a psychiatrist ASAP, & got a private appointment within three days, Nardil IS available, I was sent a 3 month supply by courier, the problem is that neither the NHS or BUPA will pay, fortunately I’m able to. IMO this was not handled well, & I was not going to go through a Wash-Out suffer symptoms etc when it wasn't necessary. If anybody’s told by their care team that this Nardil is unavailable it’s not true. Please don’t be fobbed of by your GP’s surgery, YOU are the patient/Client "

• zeuso...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 5, 2017

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "5 weeks after I started Nardil my life completely changed. After 15 years I could smile again. I have tried every drug under the sun for my depression and social anxiety (SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, APs, benzos, opiates) but nothing has worked until Nardil."

• LoveH...
• November 11, 2020

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "I've been on Nardil for 30 years after trying a bunch of other non-MAOI meds. It has been the ONLY anti-depressant that has worked for me! For reasons too long to explain, I had to go off Nardil about 10 years ago, and I became SO sick! I had nausea 24/7 for almost 6 months and obviously, was getting more and more depressed! We thought I would start to feel better after some time until finally, I couldn't take it any longer. Within the first 24 hrs of going back on Nardil, I started to feel physically better. A year or two later I tried to go off Nardil again. During a 6 month period, I was only able to wean off 1 of 3 pills, but I was sick the entire time! The moment I take even a half a pill, I'm not sick! Unfortunately, I am physically not able to go off Nardil even if I wanted to! I just hope that I won't ever HAVE to go off Nardil for health reasons because I will just be sick and depressed! Has anyone else experienced that or similar reaction to going off Nardil?"

• Rick...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 17, 2016

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "Severe anxiety and debilitating depression - a normal active happy person reduced to nothing but the dark in a bed for months. Prescribed every drug in the book in every combination - twice! All absolutely utterly totally useless. One day my doc said we are going to try an unusual dangerous drug - Nardil, because its your only hope. FANTASTIC UTTERLY INCREDIBLE. In two days I was living again and I was nearly better."

• Meano
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 30, 2020

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "After 15 years of unsuccessful attempts to treat my depression with every possible SSRI and SNRI, I found an academic psychopharmacologist. He suggested Nardil. Within three weeks, the world changed. True, the interactions can seem worrisome. But it’s a minuscule price for a life finally lived."

• Adrian
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 28, 2020

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "My 22 year old son tried over a dozen antidepressants without getting relief from debilitating depression with suicidal thoughts. He also tried TMS and Ketamine infusions with no relief. He had almost immediate relief from his symptoms from Nardil 30 mg twice a day. He also takes Seroquel at night to aid sleeping and relieve anxiety. This medication saved my son’s life. We have not had trouble getting it here (Wisconsin), thus far. I don’t know what we would do if it was not available."

• LLG
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 10, 2014

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "Diagnosed bipolar late 30's, lithium threw me into a clinical depression. Was not hospitalized as I tried tricyclic after tricyclic, with the awful side effects, weight gain and almost a zombie, sleeping all the time. Researching I discovered MAOI Inhibitors, was put on Nardil. Had only 15 min. medication checks every two weeks. At the first I asked, still depressed, "Will I ever be motivated again?", so weary was I of this horrid depression. At the second medication check, two weeks later, my depression had lifted! It kept me out of depression, functioning, and as close to 'normal', "whatever that is", for decades. It saved my life."

• Dr Disc
• October 15, 2011

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "Nardil saved my life. I have used 60mgs a day for 30 years. I have no plans to withdraw. Several attempts to reduce the medicine and eliminate it. Met with very difficult psychological and physiological disturbances. I am now 73 and am committed to Nardil for the rest of my life if they keep making it. "

• beejh...
• July 7, 2013

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "I was diagnosed with bipolar/severe mania and depression since I was 26, I have see every psychiatrist in my area, and have been put on every antidepressant from Paxil to Effexor. The only one that ever worked is Nardil. I am 33 years old now and would recommend this monoamine oxidase inhibitor to everyone who needs to be on an antidepressant. I was fortunate to find a very intelligent doctor who worked with me through these years. He told me not too many doctors prescribe Nardil for the food restrictions or whatever, but I personally believe the "old school" MAOI's are the way to go. Nardil gets a 10 in my book. I felt the ahhh, effects after one week."

• Tuco
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 30, 2020

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "In 1986 while separated from my wife, I gradually fell into a black hole marked by anxiety, obsessive self-accusing thoughts, and suicidal ideation. I went to a psychiatrist who prescribed Desyrel, which did nothing. I went to another psychiatrist. This one prescribed imiprimine. No good. Then we tried desiprimine among others. Nothing. Meanwhile I went to the library and did research on atypical depressions. There was no internet then. I asked for a script for Nardil. He was wary of prescribing it and prescribed something else. Again no good. The next time I almost begged to try it, and he agreed. About four or five days later the clouds lifted and the sun came out. I have never experienced a miracle, but Nardil comes close. The obsessive thoughts stopped. So did the guilt, the feelings of self-worthlessness, the suicidal ideation, and the anhedonia. All gone. Nardil probably saved my life. It was wonderful beyond description."

• Andy
• September 3, 2015

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "This medication is brilliant. Completely got rid of my depression and social phobia. I take 75mg/day. The SSRI's didn't really work. Was laying on the bed all day thinking of suicide and death. After I started Nardil my life completely changed. Thank goodness for the medication."

• melan...
• January 22, 2012

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "I suffered with extremely severe social anxiety for 16 years (early teens - 30). I had experienced episodes of fear that were so bad that I would feel a strong urge (if not need) to "escape" from the situation (turning my head the other way, or making a hurried exit, cutting the conversation off, having to turn around and walk out of an office doorway that I had just started to walk into). Nardil turned my life around, I was like a new person: talkative, extroverted, able to feel at-ease and laugh, make jokes, fully calm and relaxed, AND happy! I was finally the person I was always meant to be. I can say it truly saved my life. Side-effects DO lessen and even disappear, so be patient. I take 75mg/day, have not needed to increase in 6 years!"

• uknar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 29, 2019

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "To the person below, if you read this, and anyone else with issues of supply in the UK August-November. You can obtain imported Nardil through importers who have got supplies from Canada/US. You have to go through independent pharmacies as the chain pharmacies will not help as they are tied to a specific wholesaler. The specialist importers names are CLINIGEN and MAWSLEYS and WAYMADE - Good luck."

• Drugg...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 14, 2020

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "I have been using Nardil for about 40 years. It has been truly a life-altering medication for me. Before Nardil, I had been prescribed the entire spectrum of antidepressants, and none were even nearly completely effective. Nardil plus an antipsychotic has brought me to 100% remission, and this has been maintained for many years. Yes, I do have very occasional depressed periods, but they are short in duration and they reverse rapidly. Additionally, as for me I have no dietary issues or interactions with other prescription drugs. I feel very lucky that I found Nardil and that it works so well for me without complications!"

• Terces
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 12, 2019

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "Does anyone know how to get hold of Nardil on private prescription. I don't care about the cost. My mother is 79 and now has a week to come off 3 tablets a day. The NHS have let us down but GP's were alerted months ago and didn't do anything. I am looking at suing for negligence."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 6, 2017

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "I tried many medications and many combinations with little or no effect. As a last effort, I turned to the internet and stumbled across some positive info about Nardil. It took awhile to even find a doctor that would prescribe it. I have now been on 90 mgs for around four or five years and it works very well with few unwanted side effects. I take it in combination with 20mgs of Zyprexa for a very severe form of generalized anxiety that I have."

• Glenn...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 5, 2017

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "I had been in and out of the hospital for many years, tried all classes of anti depressants and even several in different classes, BICYCLICS, TRICYCLICS, then most of the SSRI's. After continuing to get worse, my doctor and I decided to try ECT (shock treatment). I received 13 treatments (and no, it was nothing like One Flew Over The Cookoo's Nest lol) but it also didn't help at all. Thirty years burning down the road, nowhere to run, got nowhere to go... he, as a last ditch effort, tried Nardil and to almost sound trite, I pulled a full 180 degree turn around. There were a few side-effects, some weight gain and a lessor libido and difficulty to orgasm, though if you knew me now, you'd know NONE of these side effects exist any longer!"

• Mattie
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 30, 2019

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "I've been on Nardil over 30 years and it is a total life-saver. Have tried to come off it twice - not through my own choice. Once when I wanted to become pregnant and was told Nardil wasn't safe. Rubbish! Attempting to come off sent me into severe clinical depression and hospitalisation. Went back on Nardil; became pregnant, had my son, who is now 16. When I tried to get my Nardil from GP yesterday, was told that there are no stocks in UK and won't be for at least 2 months. How can this situation have arisen? This turned me virtually suicidal in an instant. Have managed to get Nardil from Canada on private prescription (no thanks to NHS, who have known about the shortage since April but refuse to do anything about it, unlike Australian medical service). Expensive, but I would pay anything to get it. Pharmacists know how to get it like this. I'm now panicking at the thought of Nardil being discontinued - that would be so hard on me."

• Shilana
• September 1, 2011

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "I have been on phenelzine since it first came out in the early 60's and although I have tried many other things, phenelzine has always worked for me. I also have high blood pressure so phenelzine was thought not to be a good choice, however it stabilized my blood pressure that I have now been able to stop taking medication to control it. It is an old fashioned medicine, there are dietary restrictions but you get used to them. Just as diabetics get used to their dietary restrictions and it is a very small price to pay for peace of mind. I trained SRN/RMN, have a degree on IT and live a very full and active life as I approach my 70th birthday."

• Tink
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 30, 2020

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "I was just informed this evening that Nardil would not be available from my pharmacy in Ontario, Canada and that it wouldn’t likely be available anywhere else. This was my “last resort” medication after trying every antidepressant ever made. I hope my nurse and psychiatrist can come up with an alternative. I hope I don’t have to wean off as my personal supply is about a week or two. I’m very concerned and scared as I have weaned off so many meds that didn’t work in the past with brutal withdrawal side effects."

• Panic...
• January 7, 2016

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "Been on Nardil for almost 20 years. Works well. I had severe panic attacks and couldn't even go out of the house. It can be annoying when you have a cold or flu but at least don't get depressed about it. Lol. Good thing the psychiatrist gave me that first so I didn't have to try others. I tell others about it so they can get their severe anxiety helped."

• Vexed
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 17, 2019

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "I was put on Nardil in 1990 when I was suffering a phobia of nausea , anxiety attacks , and had gone from 14st down to 8st. I was actually in a psychiatric unit when they were prescribed .They saved my life and have been on them nearly 30 years. Fast forward to 2019, like many others on this forum I went into a different universe when the lack of supplies was announced. I am fortunate that somone over-rode my doctors refusal to get me unlicensed supplies , and I have just received these and they came from Canada.. With Doctors it is all down to COST - appalling........!!"

• Dfcan
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 18, 2021

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "Pfizer purchased the patent for nardil. As stated above they changed the coatings. I imported it to Germany where I was working on a military base. Returning to the US in 2018, the Pdoc prescribed again Pfizer Nardil. The same thing happened to me. He suggested shock therapy which I declined. He did not even know the formula was altered. I now use the Lupin brand which is good, but not nearly as good as the name brands. As there is now a world wide shortage, If you have had a similar experience, please join our group on FB just look for Nardil Shortage and Support Group MAOI Q&A. As a researcher, I and others are going to take them to task on this matter. Your support will be very helpful. thank you"