Phenelzine (Nardil)

Primer

Phenelzine (Tradename: Nardil) is a non-selective and irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)

Pharmacokinetics

  • Half-life = 11.6 hours

Side Effects

  • MAOis, and phenelzine in particular can reduce vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) levels[1][2]
  • Ankle edema, orthostatic hypotension, and rarely cholestatic jaundice can also occur with phenelzine.[3][4]
  • Phenelzine completely suppresses REM sleep

References

1) Malcolm, D. E., Yu, P. H., Bowen, R. C., O'Donovan, C., Hawkes, J., & Hussein, M. (1994). Phenelzine reduces plasma vitamin B6. Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, 19(5), 332.
2) Fiedorowicz, J. G., & Swartz, K. L. (2004). The role of monoamine oxidase inhibitors in current psychiatric practice. Journal of psychiatric practice, 10(4), 239–248.
3) Sidhu, G., & Marwaha, R. (2020). Phenelzine. StatPearls [Internet].
4) Remick, R. A., Froese, C., & Keller, F. D. (1989). Common side effects associated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 13(3-4), 497-504.