citalopram vs phenelzine
Side-by-side comparison of citalopram and phenelzine. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
moderate Known Drug Interaction
Drug Interactions In patients receiving nonselective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors in combination with serotoninergic agents (e.g., dexfenfluramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram, venlafaxine) there have been reports of serious, sometimes fatal, reactions.
Recommendation: This combination should be avoided. Your healthcare provider will need to manage the timing of these medications carefully.
Celexa
Nardil
Citalopram is a medicine used to treat depression in adults. It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Phenelzine (Nardil) is a medicine used to treat depression. It belongs to a class of drugs called MAO inhibitors.
Citalopram is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. Depression can cause feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and difficulty functioning in daily life. This medicine can help improve your mood and overall well-being.
This medicine treats depression, especially when it involves anxiety, phobias, or hypochondria. It is often used when other antidepressants haven't worked. It may not be as effective for severe depression with 'endogenous' features.
Citalopram works by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical messenger that helps regulate mood. By blocking the reabsorption of serotonin, citalopram helps to improve communication between nerve cells and stabilize mood.
Phenelzine works by blocking an enzyme called monoamine oxidase (MAO) in your body. MAO breaks down certain chemicals in the brain, like serotonin and norepinephrine. By blocking MAO, phenelzine helps increase the levels of these chemicals, which can improve mood.
- • Ejaculation disorder (mostly delayed ejaculation)
- • Dizziness
- • Headache
- • Drowsiness
- • Trouble sleeping
- • Tiredness
- Tiredness 8,930
- Feeling sick to your stomach 8,204
- Head pain 6,654
- Loose stools 6,214
- Discomfort 5,899
- Feeling sad or hopeless 187
- Head pain 136
- Feeling worried or nervous 129
- Gaining weight 120
- Trouble sleeping 104
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young adults. Your doctor will monitor you closely for worsening depression or suicidal thoughts. Citalopram is not approved for use in children.
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, teens, and young adults. Your doctor will monitor you closely for worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should also watch for these changes and report them to the doctor. This medicine is not approved for use in children.
Taking citalopram late in pregnancy may cause problems for the newborn. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine while pregnant. There is a pregnancy registry to monitor outcomes, call 1-844-405-6185 to register.
It is not known if phenelzine can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
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How to Read This citalopram vs phenelzine Comparison
citalopram is classified in the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) drug class, while phenelzine sits within the Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, citalopram has 35,901 submissions while phenelzine has 676. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to combining these drugs can cause too much serotonin to build up in your system. this can lead to very serious side effects that may be fatal.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between citalopram and phenelzine - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.