Nardil.(Drug overview)

Pronounced: NAHR-dill

Generic name: Phenelzine sulfate

Why is Nardil prescribed?

Nardil is a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor used to treat depression as well as anxiety or phobias mixed with depression. MAO is an enzyme responsible for breaking down certain neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the brain. By inhibiting MAO, Nardil helps restore more normal mood states. Unfortunately, MAO inhibitors such as Nardil also block MAO activity throughout the body, an action that can have serious, even fatal, side effects--especially if MAO inhibitors are combined with other foods or drugs containing a substance called tyramine.

Most important fact about Nardil

Avoid the following foods, beverages, and medications while taking Nardil and for 2 weeks after stopping it:

Beer (including alcohol-free or reduced-alcohol beer)

Caffeine (in excessive amounts)

Cheese (except for cottage cheese and cream cheese)

Chocolate (in excessive amounts)

Dry sausage (including Genoa salami, hard salami, pepperoni, and Lebanon bologna)

Fava bean pods

Liver

Meat extract

Pickled herring

Pickled, fermented, aged, or smoked meat, fish, or dairy products

Sauerkraut

Spoiled or improperly …