Phenelzine and Blood Pressure: What Users Say

• Ang...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 1, 2020

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."

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

Phenelzine for Depression "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."

• Mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 13, 2020

For Depression "I have TRD, MDD and failed every SSRI, SNRI, several TCAs, trazodone, 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 workups 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 decrease as the problem was not a 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 3, 2025

"I have been on this drug since March 2024. - 60 mg for the first 6.5 months. I had the “honeymoon phase” for the first 2-4 weeks? Where my anxiety went down by 90%. Then I guess my body adjusted and it became a bit less effective (but still way more effective than any SSRI I’ve ever tried). I had really bad hypotension and orthostatic hypotension. But I pushed through it, and eventually, my body kind of adjusted to the medication, and instead of 75-80/50, it is now typically 95/75. HOWEVER, I got out of a relationship and my stress was at an all-time high. I literally blew up. It was fluid retention (but looked like I had gained 20 lbs). I had to go down to 45 mg (helps still some with anxiety and depression) but nowhere near how well the 60 mg worked. Things that I have found that worsen the fluid retention: high stress levels, moderate-high intensity exercise (because it increases cortisol), and carbs. Things that HELPED: lytes (LMNT brand), low carb, and low intensity exercise."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 3, 2025

"I have been on this drug since March 2024. - 60 mg for the first 6.5 months. I had the “honeymoon phase” for the first 2-4 weeks? Where my anxiety went down by 90%. Then I guess my body adjusted and it became a bit less effective (but still way more effective than any SSRI I’ve ever tried). I had really bad hypotension and orthostatic hypotension. But I pushed through it, and eventually, my body kind of adjusted to the medication, and instead of 75-80/50, it is now typically 95/75. HOWEVER, I got out of a relationship and my stress was at an all-time high. I literally blew up. It was fluid retention (but looked like I had gained 20 lbs). I had to go down to 45 mg (helps still some with anxiety and depression) but nowhere near how well the 60 mg worked. Things that I have found that worsen the fluid retention: high stress levels, moderate-high intensity exercise (because it increases cortisol), and carbs. Things that HELPED: lytes (LMNT brand), low carb, and low intensity exercise."