Two medicines, side by side
Phenelzine vs tranylcypromine
Phenelzine has no indication this site maps; tranylcypromine for depression. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Drugs@FDA records approvals of phenelzine since 1961 and of tranylcypromine since 1961. Pharmacies paid $0.586 per phenelzine sulfate 15 mg tablet and $0.591 per tranylcypromine sulf 10 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the phenelzine FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 6, 2025); the tranylcypromine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 2, 2025).
Highlights of the phenelzine record
Phenelzine (Nardil) · label of June 6, 2025
Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of Nardil or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need.
Used for
From the label: indicationsNARDIL has been found to be effective in depressed patients clinically characterized as "atypical," "nonendogenous," or "neurotic." These patients often have mixed anxiety and depression and phobic or hypochondriacal features. There is less conclusive evidence of its usefulness with severely depressed patients with endogenous features. NARDIL should rarely be the first antidepressant drug used. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 9, 1961
- Generic labelers
- 1 labeler
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.586 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the tranylcypromine record
Tranylcypromine (Parnate) · label of July 2, 2025
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS and HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS WITH SIGNIFICANT TYRAMINE USE Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsPARNATE is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adult patients who have not responded adequately to other antidepressants. PARNATE is not indicated for the initial treatment of MDD due to the potential for serious adverse reactions and drug interactions, and the need for dietary restrictions [ see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5), and Drug Interactions (7) ]. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 21, 1961
- Generic labelers
- 4 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.591 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Phenelzine label of June 6, 2025, Tranylcypromine label of July 2, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do phenelzine and tranylcypromine differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: phenelzine since 2010; tranylcypromine since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
| Phenelzine | Tranylcypromine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | n/a | Depression |
| Pharmacologic class | Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor | Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | n/a | The mechanism of action of PARNATE as an antidepressant is not fully understood, but is presumed to be linked to potentiation of monoamine neurotransmitter activity in the central nervous system (CNS) resulting from its irreversible … |
| Half-life (label) | Elimination The mean elimination half-life after a single 30 mg dose is 11.6 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | June 9, 1961 | February 21, 1961 |
| First generic approved | December 8, 2010 | June 29, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 1 labeler | 4 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.586 per tablet (Phenelzine sulfate 15 mg tablet) | $0.591 per tablet (Tranylcypromine sulf 10 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 1,563 | 1,118 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Phenelzine label, contraindicationsA List of MAO Inhibitors by Generic Name Follows: pargyline hydrochloride pargyline hydrochloride and methylclothiazide furazolidone isocarboxazid procarbazine tranylcypromine NARDIL should also not be used in combination with buspirone HCl, since several cases of elevated blood pressure have been reported in patients taking MAO inhibitors who were then given buspirone HCl.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Tranylcypromine label, warnings and precautionsThe development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome has been reported with MAOIs when used concomitantly with other serotonergic drugs.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to phenelzine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions