Isocarboxazid Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 11, 2024.

Applies to isocarboxazid: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to allow for changes in your dose and to check for any unwanted effects.

You will also need to have your blood pressure measured before starting this medicine and while you are using it. If you notice any change to your normal blood pressure, call your doctor right away. If you have questions about this, talk to your doctor.

When taken with certain foods, drinks, or other medicines, isocarboxazid can cause very dangerous reactions, such as sudden high blood pressure (also called hypertensive crisis). To avoid such reactions, follow these rules of caution:

• Do not eat foods that have dopamine and a high tyramine content (most common in foods that are aged or fermented to increase their flavor), such as cheese (especially strong or aged kinds), caviar, sour cream, liver, canned figs, soy sauce, sauerkraut, fava beans, yeasts, and yogurt. Avoid smoked or pickled meat, poultry, or fish, such as sausage, pepperoni, salami, anchovies, or herring. Do not eat dried fruit (such as raisins), bananas, avocados, raspberries, or very ripe fruit.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages. This includes Chianti wine, sherry, beer, non-alcohol or low alcohol beer and wine, and liqueurs.
• Do not eat or drink too much caffeine. Caffeine can be found in coffee, cola, chocolate, tea, and many other foods and drinks. Ask your doctor how much caffeine is safe to use.

Isocarboxazid may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. If you or your caregiver notice any of these adverse effects, tell your doctor right away.

Call your doctor or hospital emergency room right away if you have a severe headache, stiff or sore neck, chest pains, fast heartbeat, sweating, dizziness, or nausea and vomiting while you are taking this medicine. These may be symptoms of a serious side effect called hypertensive crisis.

This medicine may make some people dizzy or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or not alert.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; medicine for seizures or barbiturates; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using this medicine.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help. When you get up from lying down, sit on the edge of the bed with your feet dangling for 1 or 2 minutes, then stand up slowly. If the problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Do not Stop taking isocarboxazid without checking first with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely.

Before having any kind of surgery, dental treatment, or emergency treatment, tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are using this medicine or have used it within the past 10 days. Taking isocarboxazid together with medicines that are used during surgery, dental, or emergency treatments may increase the risk of serious side effects.

Your doctor may want you to carry an identification card stating that you are using this medicine.

Check with your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of liver problems, such as dark-colored urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach, or yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you are diabetic, be especially careful in testing for sugar in your blood or urine. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

After you stop using this medicine, you must continue to exercise caution for at least 2 weeks with your foods, drinks, and other medicines, since these items may continue to react with isocarboxazid.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Common side effects of isocarboxazid

Some side effects of isocarboxazid may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Serious side effects of isocarboxazid

Along with its needed effects, isocarboxazid may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking isocarboxazid:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to isocarboxazid: oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most common adverse events were dizziness, headache, nausea, and dry mouth.^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Dizziness (up to 29%), headache (up to 15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Drowsy/drowsiness, forgetful, hyperactive, lethargy, myoclonic jerks, paresthesia, sedation, syncope, tremor
• Frequency not reported: Hyperreflexia, mild headache, overactivity, peripheral neuritis
• Postmarketing reports: Akathisia, ataxia, coma, neuritis^[Ref]

Dizziness and/or drowsiness may be controlled by reducing the dose.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, nausea
• Frequency not reported: Vomiting
• Postmarketing reports: Black tongue^[Ref]

Constipation, dry mouth, nausea, and/or vomiting may be controlled by reducing the dose.^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Blurred vision
• Postmarketing reports: Toxic amblyopia^[Ref]

Blurred vision may be controlled by reducing the dose.

Toxic amblyopia was reported in a patient with schizophrenia who received this drug for approximately 1 year; however, no causal relationship to this drug was established.^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Muscle tremor^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Impotence, urinary frequency, urinary hesitancy
• Frequency not reported: Difficulty in micturition, impairment of erection and ejaculation
• Postmarketing reports: Dysuria, incontinence, sexual disturbances, urinary retention^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Orthostatic hypotension, palpitations
• Frequency not reported: Disturbances in cardiac rhythm, peripheral edema^[Ref]

Orthostatic hypotension, disturbances in cardiac rhythm, and/or peripheral edema may be controlled by reducing the dose.^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Postmarketing reports: Impaired water secretion compatible with syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Sweating
• Frequency not reported: Skin rashes
• Postmarketing reports: Photosensitivity, spider telangiectases^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety, insomnia, sleep disturbance
• Frequency not reported: Agitation, behavioral changes, confusion, suicidal behavior, suicidal ideation
• Postmarketing reports: Euphoria, hallucinations^[Ref]

Insomnia may be controlled by reducing the dose.

Hallucinations have been reported with high doses, but have disappeared with dose reduction or discontinuation of therapy.^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Chills, heavy feeling
• Frequency not reported: Fatigue, weakness^[Ref]

Fatigue and/or weakness may be controlled by reducing the dose.^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Blood dyscrasias, granulocytopenia, purpura
• Postmarketing reports: Hematologic changes^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Increased appetite, weight gain^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• What are some common side effects of antidepressants?

Further information

Isocarboxazid side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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