Nardil

Nardil is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) that treats symptoms of atypical depression in adults when other medicines have not worked.

Nardil is not for treating severe depression or bipolar disorder (manic depression).

Nardil may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

You may need to stop using Nardil for a short time before any type of surgery or medical procedure. Tell any doctor who treats you that you take this medicine.

It may take a few weeks before you receive the full benefit of taking Nardil. Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with Nardil.

Do not stop using Nardil suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Some young people may have thoughts about suicide when they start taking an antidepressant. Be aware of any changes in your mood or symptoms. Inform your doctor about any new or worsening symptoms.

There are many other medications, foods, and drinks that can cause dangerously high blood pressure if taken with Nardil. Inform your doctor about all your current medications and any that you begin or stop. Avoid drinking alcohol, and find out about the foods you need to avoid.

Signs of dangerously high blood pressure include: a sudden and severe headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, cold sweat, dilated pupils, sensitivity to light, fast or pounding heartbeats, neck stiffness, weakness, or problems with vision or speech.

You should not use Nardil if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland).
• congestive heart failure;
• severe kidney disease; or
• a history of liver problems or abnormal liver function tests.

A dangerous drug interaction can happen between Nardil and certain other medicines you take within 14 days before or after using this medicine. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you need to use any of these medicines, including:

• epinephrine or norepinephrine;
• bupropion, buspirone, carbamazepine, guanethidine, levodopa, meperidine, methyldopa, tryptophan;
• ADHD medication;
• diet pills, cough and cold or allergy medicines;
• opioid medicine;
• other antidepressants;
• another MAO inhibitor--furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others; or
• drugs that affect serotonin levels in your body--stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting.

This is not a complete list, and there may be other medicines you should not take while you are taking Nardil.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• high blood pressure, heart disease;
• diabetes;
• schizophrenia;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
• if you have taken another antidepressant within the past 5 weeks.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when they first start taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Nardil is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Nardil may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• sudden and severe headache, neck pain or stiffness;
• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• fast or slow heartbeats;
• chest pain;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• sweating (sometimes with fever and sometimes with cold, clammy skin);
• nausea, vomiting; or
• dilated pupils (your eyes may be more sensitive to light).

Common side effects of Nardil may include:

• dizziness, feeling light-headed;
• drowsiness, sleep problems;
• headache;
• feeling weak or tired;
• tremors, muscle twitching;
• dry mouth, stomach discomfort, constipation;
• swelling, weight gain; or
• sexual problems.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms may include feeling drowsy or dizzy, severe headache, neck pain or stiffness, hallucinations, shallow breathing, fast and uneven heart rate, cold sweats, feeling like you might pass out, or seizure (convulsions).

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.

You must not eat certain foods, including:

• air dried, aged, smoked, or fermented meats, including sausage, pepperoni, Lebanon bologna, or salami;
• beer, wine, reduced-alcohol or alcohol-free beer or wine;
• pickled herring;
• aged cheeses, including blue, boursault, brie, camembert, cheddar, gruyere, mozzarella, parmesan, Romano, Roquefort, and Swiss;
• moldy or improperly stored meat, fish, poultry, or liver;
• soy sauce, miso soup, bean curd, fava beans;
• sauerkraut;
• yogurt;
• yeast extracts, Marmite; or
• excessive amounts of chocolate or caffeine.

Eating these foods while you are taking Nardil can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels, causing life-threatening side effects. Also avoid these foods for 2 weeks after you stop taking this medicine.

Nardil may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

When you begin or stop taking Nardil, your doctor may need to change the doses of any other medicines you regularly take.

Many other drugs can lead to serious health issues if taken with Nardil. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are included in this medication guide. Inform your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicines you start or stop using.

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