Marplan Uses

Although Marplan is approved to treat depression in adults, it can also be prescribed "off-label" to treat other conditions, such as anxiety, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Because Marplan has many potentially lethal food and drug interactions, it is usually used only as a last resort when other antidepressants have failed. Marplan uses have not been approved for children and teens younger than 16 years old, as there has not been adequate research done for these age groups.

 

Marplan Uses: An Overview

Marplan® (isocarboxazid) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of depression (also known as major depression or clinical depression).
 
Depression is more than just "feeling sad." Common symptoms of depression include:
 
  • Changes in sleep (sleeping too much or not enough)
  • Eating too much or too little (and weight gain or weight loss)
  • Having little interest in things that you used to enjoy
  • Physical pain
  • Feeling hopeless or worthless
  • Suicidal thoughts.
     
Marplan has been proven in large clinical trials to help adults with depression. However, due to many potentially lethal food and drug interactions, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (including Marplan) are usually used as a last resort to treat severe depression. In order to use this medication safely, you must commit to following a strict diet (see Marplan Food Interactions) and to avoid many (if not most) medications, including over-the-counter products (see Marplan Drug Interactions).
 
Counseling and therapy (see Psychotherapy for Depression) are often used along with antidepressants to treat depression. Ask your healthcare provider if counseling or therapy would be good options for you (see Depression Treatment).
 
(Marplan Uses Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;