Phenelzine and Nausea: What Users Say

• Lov...
• November 11, 2020

For Depression "I've been on Nardil for 30 years after trying a bunch of other non-MAOI meds. It has been the ONLY antidepressant 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?"

• lin...
• March 24, 2012

For Depression "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."

• Con...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 10, 2020

For Depression "On Nardil for 7 years, went to get my refill, they said it was on backorder. I had no choice but to go without. It's been over a week, and I'm having terrible withdrawals. Feel nauseated, headache, zapping in my head, and tired. I'm so disappointed in my pharmacy, they knew I was out and didn't offer any help or advice. Now I am suffering, and my mood is dropping more and more."

• Lou...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 28, 2019

For Depression "Like others on this forum, had to go “cold turkey” with literally 5 tablets left when I was told they were unavailable. GP told to cut remaining tablets in half. Went from 45 mg a day to 7 mg a day. For the last 4 weeks, been on no tablets. I am sleeping very well. My mood is okay. Finding it hard sometimes to motivate myself to do stuff at home but still working. The worst thing is the nausea! My real concern is that my mood has not dropped significantly. Does this mean that having taken this drug for 17 years that the chemicals are still in my body long after the recommended “washout” period? Haven’t eaten any banned foods. Bit scared to try. Would really appreciate any advice from anyone who has come off Nardil after years of taking it. Or any pharmacists who can help."

• Lin...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 1, 2019

For Depression "Suffered agoraphobia, anxiety, and depression, but Nardil has been my lifesaver and I’ve done things I’d never thought I could, flying abroad, etc. I had to stop almost cold turkey as I couldn’t get tabs, been awful!! Depressed, nausea, feeling sweats, heart racing. After a month, managed to get tablets from a pharmacy that delivers to the door, 1 week on 15 mg, now 2nd day on 30 mg, NEVER take more than that. Still suffering bouts of tears, tiredness, and loss of appetite. Lost 10 lb since stopping. GOT TO THINK POSITIVE AS I KNOW THEY WORK!!!"

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

For Depression "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."

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

For Depression "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."