Nardil for Depression User Reviews (Page 4)

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

"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."

• Nar...
• January 4, 2022

"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

"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

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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

"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

"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."

• Sch...
• March 18, 2020

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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!"

• Old...
• September 28, 2016

"I've struggled with depression and social anxiety all my life and have recently been treated with a variety of different antidepressants. I think I am depressed because of a narcissistic mother who seemed to be unable to love unconditionally. While Nardil might well help others, I don't feel it has helped me, and the effect on sexual activity is depressing in itself. I am currently seeing a psychotherapist, and while it is very hard to deal with the issues that come up, I think it might be my salvation. I do hope so."

• And...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 11, 2025

"Find a doctor open to Nardil. After my Nardil pooped out after 10 years, I tried almost 10 different medications with no effect on alleviating my five-year excruciatingly painful and suicidal depression. I tried ECT, ketamine, acupuncture, and a clinical trial of magnetic therapy. I went back on Nardil, and after two weeks, the depression had lifted. I made people laugh again. Find a doctor open to Nardil."

• End...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2022

"I was very hopeful, given all the stuff I read online (all over the web) about the life-changing workings of this drug for so many folks out there. Pretty bummed that that’s not the case for me. Was on it for almost 3 months — nothing. The good part about Nardil (for me) was that I didn’t experience any negative side effects. I wish I could somehow just give this med a neutral review, but that’s not how the rating system on this site works. Hence my 6/10 rating — not good, not bad & +1 star for the lack of crap side effects. Happy for all of you that have found, in Nardil, your medicine of choice!"

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

"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."

• Mis...
• March 14, 2021

"I have been on Nardil for 41 years. I have tried other meds to no avail. It’s a wonderful medication for anxiety, depression, and social anxiety. I retired from a teaching career, which I have never been able to complete without this medication. It’s a life saver. It has been out of supply in Canada since March 2020 and again in January 2021. Luckily, I have been able to get Nardil from Washington State as I live near the US border in Vancouver. There is a supply of Nardil in the US. ERFA and Canada Health have not done enough for people who need this medication."

• Cha...
• April 4, 2021

"The reason Lupin Nardil works and Greenstone doesn't is because the inactive ingredient polyvinyl alcohol wraps the Nardil pill like a Tide detergent pod pill. This is for better absorption. Greenstone doesn't have this. Trust me, Pfizer created a formula Nardil failure on Nardil! Hard to believe, but it is true."

• Lin...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 5, 2019

"Been back on Nardil for 6 weeks, got it from Wells Pharmacy. Still anxious, though, these tablets are not as dark. Wonder if the ingredients are slightly different. Been put on 80 mg Bedranol to ease palpitations, which they have."

• Cha...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 5, 2021

"I was prescribed Nardil from 1979 until 2003 for panic disorder and agoraphobia. Bang, it stopped working: lo and behold, Pfizer changed the inactive ingredients from the previous owner of Nardil, Warner-Lambert. Pfizer went from 15 inactive ingredients to only 8. I won't go into detail, but I'm annoyed they changed it. (September 2, 2003) and never looked back. Please look at a website pre-2003 Nardil petition. Thx."

• Lar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2023

"I was very upset after trying this drug. I had such high hopes and am very confused with the high ratings. I was on Nardil for 2 months and have experienced many side effects: dizziness, fatigue, nausea, no energy, worse depression, zero libido, agitation. I was on 45 mg and could barely stand up at this dose. If you are sensitive to medication, this is probably not for you. The only advantage was a slight reduction in anxiety."

• jus...
• August 29, 2020

"Quick data point, since every shared experience is valuable with this largely unknown med. Started Nardil in early '19 for depression and anxiety, hitting a dose of 75 mg, before ending up at a dose of 30-45 mg. One month of relief - my brain clicked so well I'm convinced neurotransmitters are hugely to blame in my case. Words came quickly, I felt funnier, was mostly happier, and the voices of insecurity/low self-esteem quieted to a murmur. It felt like a different brain. I avoided big drinking nights until one Friday night, and the next day, my clouds returned. I'm getting off to prep for a minor surgery and because I don't think Nardil's my answer. Mostly off, and luckily it's been a non-event. I was scared of horror stories of super slow taper regimens and/or having to get back on. But besides brain zaps I've had with other meds, no real issues. After a 3-week taper, I've had 1 pill over the past 6 days. Not 100% out of the woods, but close. In case you're where I was, you have my story of hope to hold onto."

• Lom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 19, 2023

"Nardil helps with anxiety but made me extremely tired, depressed, and agitated. I could only tolerate a low dose of 30 mg. Every time I tried to raise it to 45 mg, I experienced dizziness to the point of fainting, agitation, and crying spells."

• Qui...
• March 23, 2020

"Nardil helped me stop drinking, which also helped my suicidal depression. I'm now 12 years into using it, and it has become less effective fighting depression lately, the last year. Thinking about weaning off 60 mg per day and starting drinking again. That was at least a good buzz, and I will fight feelings of depression on my own."

• Bel...
• February 7, 2014

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

• Cos...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 9, 2017

"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."