Phenelzine and Insomnia: 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."

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

Phenelzine for Depression "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."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2018

Phenelzine for Depression "Took away my panic attacks, but gave me depression, severe agitation, and a racing heart. I may have been a bad candidate for this drug since I'm pretty high-strung. At 45 mg, I experienced insomnia like never before-no sleep for 5 days straight! Every time I would nod off, I would get jerked wide awake. I was scared I was never going to sleep again. I don't recommend this if you are med-sensitive. Withdrawals are a whole different story, way worse than any SSRI or SNRI. Please be careful with this drug."

• 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."

• 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."

• Ron...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 28, 2025

For Depression "This is the best medicine I've ever taken in my life for anxiety and depression! I've tried all other categories of depressants, such as many SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, and others, before giving an MAOI a try because I was scared of the diet, drug interactions, and potential side effects that could happen when taking an MAOI. I'm so glad that my psychiatrist is open-minded and allowed me to give phenelzine a try as a last resort. Nardil has annihilated my severe generalized/social anxiety and treatment-resistant depression, which I had for all of my life until this past year since starting Nardil. It's a shame this medicine is not used often because it's life-changing in the best of ways and could save many lives who are suffering from severe depression, extreme levels of anxiety, and help in other ways too. For dose, I take 60 mg of phenelzine a day, which works best for me. The side effects I experience are slight insomnia and weight gain. Other than that, this medicine has been a miracle."

• Cra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 13, 2017

Phenelzine for Depression "Nardil is the only antidepressant that has worked for me. I have a bit of insomnia on it, but at least I have motivation and don’t get upset with people like I used to."