Phenelzine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Old...
• September 28, 2016

Phenelzine for Depression "I've struggled with depression and social anxiety all my life and have recently been treated with a variety of different antidepressants. I think I am depressed because of a narcissistic mother who seemed to be unable to love unconditionally. While Nardil might well help others, I don't feel it has helped me, and the effect on sexual activity is depressing in itself. I am currently seeing a psychotherapist, and while it is very hard to deal with the issues that come up, I think it might be my salvation. I do hope so."

• V1b...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 21, 2019

Phenelzine "I'm from the UK. I have SAD, GAD, paranoia, PTSD, BDD, OCD, depression, and have been on Nardil. Have just been through 4 or 5 months of rubbish because of walking into my pharmacy and them telling me they couldn't get it anymore (even though I warned them and provided them with a list of places they could source it from). I ended up having to go cold turkey from 75 mg a day. That was not fun and made me very sick for a long time. Good news, I finally found a pharmacist that would source them using the guidelines put out here. Google Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, go to their main site and search for phenelzine. Your script having to be hand-written and have ‘specials/unlicensed’ written on it. It's been a battle, but I got my first batch today, sourced from the US and made by Pfizer. A more effective 'Nardil' than what is supplied to the UK."

• Ron...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 28, 2025

For Depression "This is the best medicine I've ever taken in my life for anxiety and depression! I've tried all other categories of depressants, such as many SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, and others, before giving an MAOI a try because I was scared of the diet, drug interactions, and potential side effects that could happen when taking an MAOI. I'm so glad that my psychiatrist is open-minded and allowed me to give phenelzine a try as a last resort. Nardil has annihilated my severe generalized/social anxiety and treatment-resistant depression, which I had for all of my life until this past year since starting Nardil. It's a shame this medicine is not used often because it's life-changing in the best of ways and could save many lives who are suffering from severe depression, extreme levels of anxiety, and help in other ways too. For dose, I take 60 mg of phenelzine a day, which works best for me. The side effects I experience are slight insomnia and weight gain. Other than that, this medicine has been a miracle."

• End...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2022

Phenelzine for Depression "I was very hopeful, given all the stuff I read online (all over the web) about the life-changing workings of this drug for so many folks out there. Pretty bummed that that’s not the case for me. Was on it for almost 3 months — nothing. The good part about Nardil (for me) was that I didn’t experience any negative side effects. I wish I could somehow just give this med a neutral review, but that’s not how the rating system on this site works. Hence my 6/10 rating — not good, not bad & +1 star for the lack of crap side effects. Happy for all of you that have found, in Nardil, your medicine of choice!"

• Kar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 11, 2022

Phenelzine for Depression "The first doctor I saw was pro-Prozac, and it did not work. Found another doctor, and he put me on Nardil. I did not like it at all. I gained about 50 pounds while in the hospital and another 60 when I got out. I went to him about the weight gain early on, and he did not seem concerned. I have never been overweight. It caused a major craving for sweets and really slowed my metabolism, even though I was working out. I guess that I am one of the rare ones that it didn't help. I'm glad that you all found success."

• Mis...
• March 14, 2021

Phenelzine for Depression "I have been on Nardil for 41 years. I have tried other meds to no avail. It’s a wonderful medication for anxiety, depression, and social anxiety. I retired from a teaching career, which I have never been able to complete without this medication. It’s a life saver. It has been out of supply in Canada since March 2020 and again in January 2021. Luckily, I have been able to get Nardil from Washington State as I live near the US border in Vancouver. There is a supply of Nardil in the US. ERFA and Canada Health have not done enough for people who need this medication."

• Cha...
• April 4, 2021

Phenelzine for Depression "The reason Lupin Nardil works and Greenstone doesn't is because the inactive ingredient polyvinyl alcohol wraps the Nardil pill like a Tide detergent pod pill. This is for better absorption. Greenstone doesn't have this. Trust me, Pfizer created a formula Nardil failure on Nardil! Hard to believe, but it is true."

• Flo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 1, 2020

For Depression "I have been on Nardil for over 30 years. It gave me a life after being sick for over 7 years in my 20s. I had no quality of life with my depression and anxiety. I was homebound and not able to function. The thought of not being able to obtain them terrifies me. Life would almost be too hard without it - I'm not exaggerating when I say that. I can't go back to that dark place again."

• Lin...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 5, 2019

Phenelzine for Depression "Been back on Nardil for 6 weeks, got it from Wells Pharmacy. Still anxious, though, these tablets are not as dark. Wonder if the ingredients are slightly different. Been put on 80 mg Bedranol to ease palpitations, which they have."

• Cha...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 5, 2021

Phenelzine for Depression "I was prescribed Nardil from 1979 until 2003 for panic disorder and agoraphobia. Bang, it stopped working: lo and behold, Pfizer changed the inactive ingredients from the previous owner of Nardil, Warner-Lambert. Pfizer went from 15 inactive ingredients to only 8. I won't go into detail, but I'm annoyed they changed it. (September 2, 2003) and never looked back. Please look at a website pre-2003 Nardil petition. Thx."

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

Phenelzine 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."

• be ...
• October 14, 2010

Phenelzine "My brother had a terrible reaction to Nardil. His behavior and personality changed immensely when he started taking it for depression, and then he hit bottom when he tried to get off it. Maybe it is a wonder drug for some, but if you start having hallucinations or your reality changes, please get help."

• Ros...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 30, 2020

For Depression "Been on Nardil for 20 years in Australia. No other antidepressants worked. Seeing as it is not available, I am having no luck with two alternate medications either so far. I have been feeling terrible now for 3 months. It is obvious it is a worldwide problem. None available in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, UK, Italy, and sporadic supply in the USA, as I understand. There obviously are other nations affected also, but I only have English. What makes me angry is none of the governments of these nations have been in contact with each other to try and find a new manufacturer. I am certain there would be many manufacturers who would make Nardil if they knew they had a guaranteed market in even the above nations. Why are they, as far as I can see, doing nothing?"

• my1...
• April 20, 2010

Phenelzine for Migraine Prevention "My neurologist prescribed Nardil approximately 4-5 years ago as a last effort to control my migraine headaches. This drug has worked better than all others tried at preventing migraines, but not without some annoying side effects such as weight gain, edema in lower legs and arms, some mild memory problems, and probably most annoying is the caution exercised regarding medications and foods that are to be avoided while taking Nardil. I've gone off of it once, and it was a nightmare, it made me very sick and weak. I eventually got off of it totally for several weeks, but the migraines came back with a vengeance, so I had to go back on the Nardil. I'm considering going off of it again soon simply because of the weight gain and edema."

• jus...
• August 29, 2020

Phenelzine for Depression "Quick data point, since every shared experience is valuable with this largely unknown med. Started Nardil in early '19 for depression and anxiety, hitting a dose of 75 mg, before ending up at a dose of 30-45 mg. One month of relief - my brain clicked so well I'm convinced neurotransmitters are hugely to blame in my case. Words came quickly, I felt funnier, was mostly happier, and the voices of insecurity/low self-esteem quieted to a murmur. It felt like a different brain. I avoided big drinking nights until one Friday night, and the next day, my clouds returned. I'm getting off to prep for a minor surgery and because I don't think Nardil's my answer. Mostly off, and luckily it's been a non-event. I was scared of horror stories of super slow taper regimens and/or having to get back on. But besides brain zaps I've had with other meds, no real issues. After a 3-week taper, I've had 1 pill over the past 6 days. Not 100% out of the woods, but close. In case you're where I was, you have my story of hope to hold onto."

• Nar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 18, 2024

Phenelzine "When I first went on Nardil, I definitely experienced the “honeymoon phase” for a few weeks where 80-90% of my anxiety was abolished. As time went on, it still helped, but became a little less effective. I then had a period in my life when I became very stressed, I blew up with so much water retention. This drug can cause SIADH. I hated the way it made me look and feel. The side effects of Nardil are very tough. And I think I might be weaning myself off soon. It makes me sad because it was definitely improving my life."

• mem...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 22, 2020

For Depression "Phenelzine changed my life. I was on all the other types of antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, had ECT, did DBT, CBT, etc. I was in the hospital for most of a period of three years before my doctor put me on phenelzine. I've been on it all my adult life but didn't think I'd make it past 21 before that. It's allowed me to thrive in a way I never thought I'd have a chance to. I'm scared of what will happen now that there's a shortage. I don't want to go back to the place I was before. I believe that I, like many others, don't know how I would face life without phenelzine. It's inhumane to be held hostage like this by drug companies."

• Ast...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2020

Phenelzine "I wasn’t diagnosed yet with bipolar. This was my first visit to my psychiatrist to treat my bipolar depression, which I thought was major depressive disorder. We went up to 90 mg Nardil because it wasn’t taking effect. Holy crap, did it feel amazing, but I was in an extreme state of mania. I spent so much money. I was delusional. It was not good for me. Way too strong, this is serious stuff. The diet sucks. I gained a lot of weight and literally could not poop. I had to take laxatives regularly. My appetite was also affected big time. All I wanted was cookies, cakes, any sweets I could get. I came off it because I could not ejaculate for the life of me. That was the tipping point after a few months. I got off it. I do not recommend this for anyone with bipolar 1 especially, nor for bipolar 2."

• Lom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 19, 2023

Phenelzine for Depression "Nardil helps with anxiety but made me extremely tired, depressed, and agitated. I could only tolerate a low dose of 30 mg. Every time I tried to raise it to 45 mg, I experienced dizziness to the point of fainting, agitation, and crying spells."

• Cra...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 13, 2021

For Depression "Nardil was prescribed to me 35 years ago, initially for post-natal depression and anxiety. No other antidepressants had worked for me until Nardil. It gave me hope and a light at the end of a very dark tunnel, and I could live a normal life again. I would definitely recommend Nardil for treatment-resistant depression."

• Big...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 11, 2020

For Depression "I had been a heavy drinker from the time I was 15 until I was 35, when I stopped alcohol for good. Shortly after I stopped drinking, I had my first panic attack. I saw a psychiatrist who prescribed an antipsychotic drug. I tried most of the tricyclic drugs over the next couple of years. These either didn't work or side effects were intolerable. My physician referred me to a psychiatrist who immediately prescribed Nardil. Thirty-three years later, I'm stable being on Nardil. I haven't had problems with food interactions as I've checked my BP over the years when trying different foods. The only drawback of Nardil is having to have pharmacies order it every time I need it. The worst situation was when the manufacturer got behind on a supply of Nardil. I phoned over 20 different drug stores only to find out they had no Nardil either. Cold turkey with no advance warning of the shortage. Drug manufacturers don't have to let their customers know when they have no supply left."

• Gjg...
• March 8, 2020

For Depression "Like many people on this website, I'm afraid I'll have to stop taking Nardil due to the shortage (I'm Canadian). This medication is wonderful; it gave me my brain back. Nothing else treated my depression before. I was always so weak I was always looking for a place to sit, and Nardil allowed me to be energetic as before. Last month, I found a chain of pharmacies that had a provider who was able to provide Nardil. Now they are backordered too. I'm already tapering Nardil, and I'm scared!"

• Sam...
• April 11, 2020

For Depression "April 10, 2020. I went on Nardil after I went through postpartum depression many years ago. When I went to renew my prescription this month, my pharmacist told me my doctor would have to put me on another medication. I now need to find a new source for Nardil."

• Wit...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 9, 2023

For Depression "This is actually a really effective medication, but for me, after a year, the side effects are too harsh. Massive weight gain and excessive sweating! I’m currently trying to get off, and the withdrawals are horrendous! If I’d known they were this bad, I would never have started it."

• Ret...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 9, 2016

For Depression "I have bipolar disorder that stays on the depressed side, so I also take 750 mg of lithium in addition to 60 mg of Nardil. I've taken every TCA, every SSRI, and SSNRI. I have AARP insurance, the add-on to Medicare. Nardil is a Tier 4 drug, about $95/mo. I've taken everything else, the drug was dropped to a Tier 1. I changed all my meds to Optum RX, and for 90 days of Tier 1 or 2 meds, I pay $0. Nardil is the most effective antidepressant I've taken. The dietary restrictions are not a problem, but I cheat and have coffee. The problem is the lack of coordination if you need elective surgery. Communication between the anesthesiologist, psychiatrist, retina specialist/surgeon, and three RNPs is pitiful. The anesthesiologist refuses to meet with me."