Nardil for Depression User Reviews (Page 2)

• Alf...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 1, 2018

"I was diagnosed with major depression in 2011. At one point, I was lying on the floor of my office in the fetal position. I clearly needed help. I already had a psychiatrist who had been treating me for anxiety. We switched over to addressing major depression as opposed to anxiety. 2011 was a horrible year as we looked for a medication to deal with my condition. After many discouraging trials, I was put on Nardil. It worked! There is more to the story, but as has been reported by others, Nardil is literally a lifesaver."

• Mil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2020

"Was on Parnate years ago for depression/PTSD, and finally decided to put a bullet in my anxiety this year by trying Nardil again. I've tried SSRIs and all those, and they're like flavorless candy - useless. Parnate worked great but always made me feel like I was 'on something.' Nardil does not. I quite simply feel like the best version of myself. I'll never forget the week this stuff finally took effect. It took about 2 months, but I didn't even realize I was depressed this time around. Just wanted to treat anxiety but got the whole package by attacking depression, anxiety, and social anxiety. I briefly switched brands (from Greenstone to Lupin), and it didn't work well for me. I went back into the dark hole and truly realized how much of a difference Nardil has made for me. It's absolutely wonderful. Any stronger and they should call this 'ecstasy' instead. I'll be taking this the rest of my life."

• Big...
• July 9, 2018

"I was a daily drinker until at 35, I stopped the alcohol after being unable to work. A few months later, I experienced a severe panic attack. I saw a doctor who began prescribing antipsychotics and antidepressants. None of these worked for me. After trying a half dozen tricyclics, I saw a psychiatrist who put me on Nardil. After a couple of weeks, the depression and anxiety lifted. I've been on 90 mg Nardil, going from 60 mg. After an episode of PTSD 11 years ago, a psychiatrist took me off of the Nardil, thinking it wasn't working anymore. The stupid shrink was not able to identify PTSD after I described my situation. Trying a few SSRIs, I was really messed up for a few years until another doctor put me back on Nardil. I've been back on Nardil 90 mg for about 9 years now. It's working okay now."

• Jil...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 6, 2019

"I have been on Phenelzine (Nardil) for over thirty years. They have saved my life. On Oct 11th, I went to collect my prescription as normal. I was told there were no supplies. At this point, I had enough for a further 4 days but knew I couldn’t just stop them. The next few days were spent in a state of absolute panic, especially when I discovered that a directive had gone out in July to all NHS trusts in the UK, warning them of the forthcoming shortages. When I queried this with the GP and asked why I’d never been warned, he turned quite nasty and couldn’t answer. I had about 100 people (family, friends, and Facebook) searching for Phenelzine for the next few days. Despite asking the GP to obtain unlicensed imports (as recommended by SPS to NHS), he categorically refused. Eventually, my husband found a chemist who could get unlicensed imports, and that’s how we eventually obtained them. I’m disgusted with my GP surgery for not giving me any warning."

• Alf...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 24, 2019

"I am so grateful for Nardil. It saved my life and continues to keep me 'normalized' and away from my depression. A perspective on this... I once told my psychiatrist that if faced with the situation where I had been diagnosed with a disease that would kill me in six months, but could be remedied by a certain drug provided I quit taking Nardil, then I would be dead in six months. My doctor made a very telling statement in reply... 'I have heard that before.'"

• 6sh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 6, 2013

"Have been depressed and anxious my whole life (now 44) and was undiagnosed. Was on Paroxetine for 10 years: life continued to turn to crap, wife left me, etc. Psychiatrist listened to symptoms and put me on 3 x 15mg Nardil. Still have suicidal thoughts and trouble with sexual function but it is definitely the medicine for me. Will stay on it for life if possible: at least I am still alive and food restrictions aren't that bad."

• Dfc...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 18, 2021

"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 Pfizer Nardil again. 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 worldwide 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."

• Anonymous
• August 29, 2011

"I have been on Nardil for 30 years because of depression, panic attacks, and severe anxiety. I did gain weight while taking Nardil, but after 6 months of starting Nardil, I began to have good days again. For me, Nardil took a long time to begin working to ease my depression, etc. I also take one 5 mg of Valium. I am a senior citizen and at times it does concern me about continuing the Nardil, but as long as it keeps working and I see my psychiatrist regularly, I have faith I will be okay. Sure, I have a few 'down' days here and there, but never like it was before I was put on Nardil long ago. (I had taken other 'older' antidepressants...none of them worked until the Nardil was prescribed). A side effect I have is intense sweating."

• Nav...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 17, 2018

"Was sailing along nicely on 90 mg Nardil, 45 mg twice daily for approximately 1 year after almost 30 years of on and off depression, PTSD symptoms, and then everything came to an abrupt halt??? I don't know what happened. Have since tried Trinquilex, Wellbutrin, and TMS, and unfortunately sad again, a year older and feeling a bit hopeless. Going to ask provider to consider revisiting Nardil for a home run before I reach 80 years of age with some enjoyment in this life. I hope the best for all struggling with these issues."

• Wis...
• March 26, 2019

"I’ve been taking Nardil in varying doses for over 40 years for my depression, and it has never let me down. I suffer from depression with a lot of anxiety, always on a low maintenance dose. I raise it if I have a blip. The diet and medication restrictions have to be taken seriously, but that’s a very small price to pay to live without the awful symptoms, which are so life-restricting. Nardil is the only medication that’s helped me, the other groups did nothing. Huge thanks to the scientists who formulated Nardil!"

• Kim...
• April 29, 2020

"I have been on Nardil for thirty years due to a bad period in my marriage that brought on my panic disorder again and depression. I started on three, fifteen mg tablets per day and reduced this dose to two 15 mg tablets over the course of one year over ten years ago. During the Covid-19 crisis, I have found it increasingly difficult to obtain Nardil and, when left with sixteen tablets and the possibility of not obtaining more, I reduced the dose from two tablets per day to one over the course of two weeks. At first, I suffered only sleeplessness, but then itching all over and tiredness began throughout the day. I have managed to obtain more Nardil but at greater cost, and these come from overseas. Mentally, I feel fine, but physically awful. A general practitioner I saw once told me that Nardil may have taken over my serotonin production. Can anyone tell me if my serotonin will bounce back to normal or am I destined to be on this pill forever?"

• ste...
• September 3, 2018

"It turned my life around while I was on it. From severe depression and social anxiety to feeling okay(!) and loving to socialize. I never had problems with the food restrictions. There's a shorter list out now that's more accurate. I was never a drinker, so I didn't miss that. You can't take cold medicines, but that's a small price to pay if you're really suffering from depression. I went off of it after 7 years due to the side effects of weight gain and edema in both legs. This might have been managed by sticking to a low-carb diet and not giving in to sugar cravings. (Note on withdrawal: I had incredibly vivid, terrible nightmares when withdrawing. Adding Clonazepam shut them down.) I'm now trying to get back on Nardil. Unfortunately, my old psychiatrist retired, and I'm having a hard time finding a new one who will prescribe it. This was the only med I took that made me feel more like myself, not less. I miss it."

• Sam...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 12, 2020

"I have been on Nardil for over 30 years. After the birth of my second child, I went through a severe postpartum depression. I had two doctors who tried to treat me with antidepressants, and this failed miserably. I was fortunate enough to find a psychiatrist who prescribed Nardil. Within a month, I was feeling better. I have continued to have a wonderful life on this medication. I now find myself with a prescription for Nardil but unable to locate any in Canada at pharmacies or online. Please advise if you can help me find Nardil."

• joa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 11, 2020

"I've been on Nardil since 2001 and has worked for me until 10 years ago, with ups and downs and severe side effects. I went down to 60 and went into depression. After a year, I increased it and am feeling better, but alive. My fear is that it will not be available anymore. Sure, I can use some words of support. Thanks."

• lin...
• March 24, 2012

"I was on Nardil for over 20 years until I was unable to get them on prescription anymore. I was then put on other antidepressants, but none worked as well. I can now get the tablets again and have been on them for just 11 days. I am finding the side effects (nausea, loss of appetite) hard to deal with but trying to persevere with them as I know they are amazing when into the system, and before while I was on it, I was able to lead an almost normal life."

• ami...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2018

"While hospitalized for MDD with psychotic features, my doctors were running out of SSRIs to try, and one decided to try Nardil — although it’s not recommended for severe depression. Because I was hospitalized, the severe food restrictions when taking Nardil were handled by the dietary folks. My positive response came within a week. I wasn’t cured, but I was more able to speak with others. Because I had a history of high blood pressure and heart disease, my blood pressure was closely monitored. I was taken off of Nardil because my doctors feared that I might have a fatal stroke. Pity, as Nardil was the only antidepressant medication that ever made me feel better."

• SJa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 30, 2020

"On 29 July 2020, I was called by a sympathetic and capable mental health pharmacist for the UK NHS. She said the NHS has been officially told that Nardil will be discontinued “in the near future.” The NHS must safely transfer all UK patients to other treatments in the months ahead. We both acknowledged that MAOIs are often a last resort—I'd trialed some 6–8 medications before Nardil, over ten years. The clinician was obliged to ask which of those failed meds had shown the most positives for me, or fewest side effects. After feeling steady on Nardil for 10 years, I don't recall which earlier meds were least worst(!). But it’s discouraging. I asked about Parnate, but it seems unavailable to UK prescribers. I don’t have the whole story. Do ask your doctor or pharmacist very soon. And remember it’s unwise to change medicines or cease Nardil abruptly. Thank you and best wishes!"

• Far...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2016

"Works very well for my depression. Only medication I found that actually works. I have tried a bunch too. From SSRI to SNRI to benzo. I am on 90 mg and I'm about to reach 1 month on Nardil. I hope it only gets better! I really recommend this medication if all the others failed. Love you, Nardil!!!"

• mol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2019

"Years ago, I had postpartum depression and also OCD. I was prescribed Nardil for a short period of time and perphenazine. I have to say I did so well on this medication. I lost all fear, and my anxiety helped immensely. It truly provided much-needed relief."

• Ash...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 22, 2022

"If you suffer from anxiety, please try this medication. It is nothing short of a miracle and, in my opinion, is the only effective antidepressant for anxiety. My recommendation is to start very slowly, 15 mg max, and slowly increase the dose. It does come with some side effects (mild insomnia, some tiredness). Many doctors won't prescribe it due to myths of food interactions. I eat anything, and I'm convinced some drug company just made up these food interactions. I recommend printing off these reviews and the comments on the SAS social anxiety forums. Nardil (phenelzine) is available in Australia, and I believe it's irresponsible to prescribe harsh treatments such as ECT before Nardil. I am a 33-year-old male, 82 kg, taking 60 mg, with diagnosed ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar NOS, with the primary issue of anxiety. This drug fixed everything. I also take Zyban (Wellbutrin) (300 mg) to offset the tiredness side effect and boost my sex drive. Give it a go, start slow. It will change your life."

• Sas...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 28, 2021

"Has anyone thought of suing the company for negligence? After all the years it’s been around. Now they have a shortage. There is something else going on. I have been on it for 37 years, and it has been the only med that worked. And I tried plenty years ago that made me worse. This is absolutely disgusting."

• ann...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 19, 2023

"Nearly 60 years ago, I was given this last resort antidepressant. I had been given various RXs, hospitalized, and given electroconvulsive “treatments” by my doctor. I was not given anesthesia. Without further elaboration, Nardil was life-changing. It must not be discontinued."

• Wha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 28, 2018

"I experience social anxiety, extreme introvert. Nardil helped me to talk easily with anyone about anything. It eased my self-consciousness and helped me with anxiety. It did cause me to have an insatiable appetite for sweets, especially ice cream, so the weight gain was tremendous. I wish I could go back on it again but don't want to go through the whole psychiatric scene again, so I deal with social anxiety."

• Jla...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 17, 2018

"I have been taking Nardil for over 30 years. It was a new lease on life, no other antidepressants worked for me. The only side effect is weight gain. My doctor has lowered my dosage over the years from 15 mg three times a day to two times a day. Watch out for hypotension when first starting Nardil and follow dietary restrictions. The only issue I had was the formulation was changed about 12 years ago, and the new formulary does not work as well. I wish I could locate the old formulation."

• Fel...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 19, 2020

"I began taking Nardil—Phenelzine sulfate—in 1996. My doctor tried prescribing several other medications before using Nardil. The side effects of Nardil are not good, but at least I am alive and functioning. The worst aspect of the medication? You never know when the manufacturer is going to get behind making it. Once it was due to a worker strike."