Phenelzine and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• LLG...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 10, 2014

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "Diagnosed bipolar in my late 30s, lithium threw me into a clinical depression. I was not hospitalized as I tried tricyclic after tricyclic, with the awful side effects, weight gain, and almost feeling like a zombie, sleeping all the time. Researching, I discovered MAOI Inhibitors and was put on Nardil. I had only 15-minute medication checks every two weeks. At the first check, I asked, still depressed, 'Will I ever be motivated again?', so weary was I of this horrid depression. At the second medication check, two weeks later, my depression had lifted! Nardil kept me out of depression, functioning, and as close to 'normal', 'whatever that is', for decades. It saved my life."

• Gle...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 5, 2017

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "I had been in and out of the hospital for many years, tried all classes of antidepressants and even several in different classes: BICYCLICS, TRICYCLICS, then most of the SSRIs. After continuing to get worse, my doctor and I decided to try ECT (shock treatment). I received 13 treatments (and no, it was nothing like One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest lol) but it also didn't help at all. Thirty years burning down the road, nowhere to run, got nowhere to go... he, as a last-ditch effort, tried Nardil and to almost sound trite, I pulled a full 180-degree turn around. There were a few side effects, some weight gain and a lesser libido and difficulty to orgasm, though if you knew me now, you'd know NONE of these side effects exist any longer!"

• ste...
• September 3, 2018

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "It turned my life around while I was on it. From severe depression and social anxiety to feeling okay(!) and loving to socialize. I never had problems with the food restrictions. There's a shorter list out now that's more accurate. I was never a drinker, so I didn't miss that. You can't take cold medicines, but that's a small price to pay if you're really suffering from depression. I went off of it after 7 years due to the side effects of weight gain and edema in both legs. This might have been managed by sticking to a low-carb diet and not giving in to sugar cravings. (Note on withdrawal: I had incredibly vivid, terrible nightmares when withdrawing. Adding Clonazepam shut them down.) I'm now trying to get back on Nardil. Unfortunately, my old psychiatrist retired, and I'm having a hard time finding a new one who will prescribe it. This was the only med I took that made me feel more like myself, not less. I miss it."

• Wha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 28, 2018

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "I experience social anxiety, extreme introvert. Nardil helped me to talk easily with anyone about anything. It eased my self-consciousness and helped me with anxiety. It did cause me to have an insatiable appetite for sweets, especially ice cream, so the weight gain was tremendous. I wish I could go back on it again but don't want to go through the whole psychiatric scene again, so I deal with social anxiety."

• Jla...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 17, 2018

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "I have been taking Nardil for over 30 years. It was a new lease on life, no other antidepressants worked for me. The only side effect is weight gain. My doctor has lowered my dosage over the years from 15 mg three times a day to two times a day. Watch out for hypotension when first starting Nardil and follow dietary restrictions. The only issue I had was the formulation was changed about 12 years ago, and the new formulary does not work as well. I wish I could locate the old formulation."

• xza...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 29, 2017

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "I took Nardil for 4 years. It changed my personality drastically. I went from depressed and withdrawn to hypomanic (which is like halfway to fully manic). Much more sociable, and I also became a workaholic. The side effects were intolerable - extreme weight gain (gained 50 lbs, which brought me over 200 lbs. I had never been overweight before or since) and anorgasmia. I did prefer hypomania to unipolar depression, but eventually, I pooped out on it as everyone seems to do in these designer ADs within a few years. There was a study that found that MAOIs like Nardil can permanently damage your mu receptors, preventing you from having the capability to experience euphoria, and that happened to me also. I wish I had never taken any of those drugs."

• Nav...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 13, 2016

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "Tried so many antidepressants from 1982 to present, then finally looked up Nardil and asked my provider to please, please try it as I am tired of going back and forth on the old and the new medications. Started the titrate from 25 mg daily and up to 45 mg twice daily, with such relief from years of depression and anxiety after being diagnosed with PTSD. Felt best at the 90 mg daily, but now I notice the feeling is fading and I am wondering if the new batches are no good. I speak of food for myself as I eat anything that I want and have not experienced any negative feeling. Weight gain is a real negative, especially in my gut, and I can’t seem to get rid of it."

• Anonymous
• December 30, 2008

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "I began taking Nardil and Ativan after my psychiatrist had tried many other antidepressants. I only became more anxious and panic-prone. Gradually, my conditioned response panic attacks began to decrease in frequency. I began to have confidence that the medication and my own awareness of my body's response to certain situations could be controlled. I have gained weight, but I have lived a near-normal life."

• Nav...
• August 6, 2016

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "PTSD anxiety, lifted after 20 years of suffering and isolation. On 90 mg daily for 9 months, feel like enjoying life. Have cheated and eat as normal, orgasm problem eased with concurrent 0.5 mg cabergoline gives multiple orgasms. Weight gain in stomach very disappointing."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 11, 2012

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "I took Nardil from '88 to '98, and it worked well. Then I was switched to Paxil, which had a lot of side effects (weight gain, sexual issues, tiredness, sense of not really being there). Paxil was probably better for OCD, but I came off it (had shocking withdrawal symptoms)."

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

Nardil (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."

• 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."

• my1...
• April 20, 2010

Nardil (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."

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

Nardil (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."

• 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."

• Hey...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 14, 2020

For Depression "I have used Nardil for years. Like 30 years. My doctor tried every depression medication, had side effects, gained weight, craved sweets, the list continues. Started Nardil, positive effects were within a week of starting. At one time, had to increase the amount I took. Two years ago, I was able to cut back from 5 a day to 3. I will not stop this medication because I do not ever want to go back to that deep, dark hole I had with depression. It cannot be discontinued. PLEASE"

• Ral...
• January 22, 2018

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "On 90 mg (45 mg x 2 daily) for 2 years, effectively reversed depression. Cons: weight gain 20 lbs, inability to have orgasm. Weak erections."

• Nav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2018

Nardil (phenelzine) for Depression "1 week on Nardil, up to 90 mg daily. Weight gain: 10 lbs. Extreme stomach bloat, looking like 8 months pregnant."

• wit...
• March 27, 2009

For Depression "Have been on Nardil for the past 3 years, after very bad side effects from all other drugs. I watch what I eat and everything is okay. Cons - weight gain and fluid retention problem."