Drug Interactions With Phenelzine

There are a number of dangerous and potentially life-threatening drug interactions with phenelzine, so tell your healthcare provider about all other medications you are taking before starting the antidepressant. Medicines that may lead to negative interactions include stimulants, reserpine, blood pressure medications, and atomoxetine. Most drug interactions with phenelzine can increase the risk of dangerously high blood pressure or other serious side effects.

 

Drug Interactions With Phenelzine: An Introduction

Phenelzine sulfate (Nardil®) can potentially interact with many medicines. Because so many drug interactions with phenelzine can be dangerous, it is important to check with your healthcare provider before taking any medication, whether prescription or over-the-counter. Make sure to tell all your healthcare providers (including dentists and surgeons) that you are taking phenelzine. Some of the medicines that may lead to phenelzine drug interactions include:
 
  • Apraclonidine eye drops (Iopidine®)
 
 
  • Barbiturates, such as:
o Amobarbital (Amytal®)
o Butalbital (Fioricet®, Fiorinal®)
o Pentobarbital (Nembutal®)
o Phenobarbital (Luminal®)
o Secobarbital (Seconal®)
 
  • Brimonidine eye drops (Alphagan P®)
 
 
 
  • Caffeine
 
 
  • Cough, cold, and allergy products, such as:
o Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM® and many others)
o Naphazoline (various nasal and eye drops, such as Visine-A®)
o Oxymetazoline (various nasal and eye drops, such as Afrin®)
o Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE® and many others)
o Propylhexedrine (Benzedrex®)
o Psuedoephedrine (Sudafed® and many others)
 
  • Disulfiram (Antabuse®)
 
 
 
  • Methyldopa (Aldomet®, Aldoril®)
 
  • Meperidine (Demerol®)
 
 
  • Other monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), including:
  • Narcotics, such as codeine, hydrocodone, morphine, and many others
 
  • Pressors, including:
o Dopamine
o Ephedrine
o Epinephrine (Adrenalin®, EpiPen®, Primatene Mist®)
o Isometheptene (Duradrin®, Midrin®, Migquin®, Migratine®, Migrazone®, Migrin-A®)
o Levonordefrin (Carbocaine with Neo-Cobefrin®)
o Midodrine (Orvaten®, ProAmatine®)
o Norepinephrine (Levophed®)
  • Reserpine
 
 
  • Stimulants, such as:
o Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine®, Dexedrine Spansules®)
o Phentermine (Adipex-P®, Ionamin®)
 
o Amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide (Limbitrol®)
o Amitriptyline and perphenazine (Ertrafon®)
(Drug Interactions With Phenelzine Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;