Prescription medicine
Phenelzine Brand names: Nardil
Phenelzine (Nardil) is a prescription medicine with an FDA approval on record since 1961. FDA's NDC Directory lists it from 1 generic labeler, and pharmacies paid $0.586 per phenelzine sulfate 15 mg tablet in the October 7, 2026 NADAC survey.
- Generic listed
- Boxed warning
Check it at the source: the phenelzine FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 6, 2025, Parke-Davis Div of Pfizer Inc); the NDA 11909 record on Drugs@FDA; every phenelzine label on DailyMed.
Highlights of the record
FDA label of June 6, 2025; NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA and Orange Book, October 8, 2026; NADAC October 7, 2026
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. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. Nardil is not approved for use in pediatric patients. (See Warnings: Clinical Worsening and Suicide Risk, Precautions: Information for Patients, and Precautions: Pediatric Use )
Used for
From the label: indications and usageNARDIL 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.
Forms and strengths
- 15 mg
Film-coated tablet; tablet.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 9, 1961 Nardil, Parke Davis; Drugs@FDA’s file, where older or withdrawn approvals can be missing
- Generic approvals
- 1 first December 8, 2010; 1 with a marketed status in Drugs@FDA
- Labelers listed (NDC)
- 3 of which 1 under generic applications, 1 under brand applications, repackagers included
Supply and safety
- Pharmacy cost (NADAC)
- $0.586 per tablet Phenelzine sulfate 15 mg tablet
- Shortage (FDA)
- No current entry
- Recalls by its makers (FDA)
- No recall recorded
- FAERS reports
- 1,563 through July 30, 2026
What is phenelzine used for?
From the label: indications and usageNARDIL 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. Rather, it is more suitable for use with patients who have failed to respond to the drugs more commonly used for these conditions.
FDA pharmacologic class: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor.
Source: FDA drug label (Nardil), Parke-Davis Div of Pfizer Inc, effective June 6, 2025 (SPL set 513a41d0-37d4-4355-8a6d-a2c643bce6fa), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
Is there a generic for phenelzine (Nardil)?
The FDA approved the first generic phenelzine on December 8, 2010. 1 generic application is approved; 1 of it carries a current (not discontinued) marketing status in Drugs@FDA; that status is not evidence that the generic is on sale.
FDA's NDC Directory lists phenelzine from 1 labeler under a generic (ANDA) application and from 1 brand labeler. A listing means the company has registered the product for sale; it does not show that every pharmacy stocks it.
- 1961 earliest approval on file
- 2010 first generic approved
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory and the Orange Book (openFDA bulk files, October 8, 2026)
What do pharmacies pay for phenelzine (Nardil)?
In CMS's NADAC survey of October 7, 2026, pharmacies paid $0.586 per Phenelzine sulfate 15 mg tablet, down 3% from $0.605 on October 8, 2025. The chart's scale runs from the lowest to the highest price shown, not from zero. NADAC is what retail pharmacies paid their wholesalers, per unit, in CMS's monthly survey; what a patient pays depends on insurance and the pharmacy.
- Phenelzine sulfate 15 mg tablet (generic)
| Strength and form | Brand or generic | Pharmacy cost | 30 tablets, or one pen or vial | 12-month change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phenelzine sulfate 15 mg tablet | Generic | $0.586 per tablet | $17.59 | -3% |
Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey, October 7, 2026: what retail pharmacies paid per unit; not a counter price
What does the phenelzine label say about other medicines?
The phenelzine label names 32 other medicines in its interaction, contraindication or warning sections. The labels of 41 other medicines name phenelzine. The sentences are the labels' own; a label lists what its studies and reports found, not every interaction.
| Medicine named | Section | What the label says |
|---|---|---|
| Amitriptyline | warnings | A List of Dibenzazepine Derivative Drugs by Generic Name Follows: nortriptyline hydrochloride amitriptyline hydrochloride perphenazine and amitriptyline hydrochloride clomipramine hydrochloride desipramine hydrochloride imipramine hydrochloride doxepin carbamazepine cyclobenzaprine HCl amoxapine maprotiline HCl … |
| Amoxapine | warnings | … hydrochloride desipramine hydrochloride imipramine hydrochloride doxepin carbamazepine cyclobenzaprine HCl amoxapine maprotiline HCl trimipramine maleate protriptyline HCl mirtazapine NARDIL should be used with caution in combination with antihypertensive drugs, including thiazide diuretics and β-blockers, since … |
| Bupropion | contraindications | The concurrent administration of an MAO inhibitor and bupropion hydrochloride (Wellbutrin®) is contraindicated. |
| Buspirone | contraindications | A 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 … |
| Caffeine | contraindications | Excessive amounts of caffeine and chocolate may also cause hypertensive reactions. |
| Carbamazepine | warnings | A List of Dibenzazepine Derivative Drugs by Generic Name Follows: nortriptyline hydrochloride amitriptyline hydrochloride perphenazine and amitriptyline hydrochloride clomipramine hydrochloride desipramine hydrochloride imipramine hydrochloride doxepin carbamazepine cyclobenzaprine HCl amoxapine maprotiline HCl … |
| Citalopram | contraindications | There have been reports of serious reactions (including hyperthermia, rigidity, myoclonic movements and death) when serotoninergic drugs (e.g., dexfenfluramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram, venlafaxine) have been combined with an MAO inhibitor. |
| Clomipramine | warnings | A List of Dibenzazepine Derivative Drugs by Generic Name Follows: nortriptyline hydrochloride amitriptyline hydrochloride perphenazine and amitriptyline hydrochloride clomipramine hydrochloride desipramine hydrochloride imipramine hydrochloride doxepin carbamazepine cyclobenzaprine HCl amoxapine maprotiline HCl … |
| Cocaine | contraindications | Therefore, patients being treated with NARDIL should not take sympathomimetic drugs (including amphetamines, cocaine, methylphenidate, dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) or related compounds (including methyldopa, L-dopa, L-tryptophan, L-tyrosine, and phenylalanine). |
| Cyclobenzaprine | warnings | … hydrochloride clomipramine hydrochloride desipramine hydrochloride imipramine hydrochloride doxepin carbamazepine cyclobenzaprine HCl amoxapine maprotiline HCl trimipramine maleate protriptyline HCl mirtazapine NARDIL should be used with caution in combination with antihypertensive drugs, including thiazide diuretics … |
| Desipramine | warnings | A List of Dibenzazepine Derivative Drugs by Generic Name Follows: nortriptyline hydrochloride amitriptyline hydrochloride perphenazine and amitriptyline hydrochloride clomipramine hydrochloride desipramine hydrochloride imipramine hydrochloride doxepin carbamazepine cyclobenzaprine HCl amoxapine maprotiline HCl … |
| Dextromethorphan | contraindications | NARDIL should not be used in combination with dextromethorphan or with CNS depressants such as alcohol and certain narcotics. |
| Doxepin | warnings | A List of Dibenzazepine Derivative Drugs by Generic Name Follows: nortriptyline hydrochloride amitriptyline hydrochloride perphenazine and amitriptyline hydrochloride clomipramine hydrochloride desipramine hydrochloride imipramine hydrochloride doxepin carbamazepine cyclobenzaprine HCl amoxapine maprotiline HCl … |
| Epinephrine | contraindications | Therefore, patients being treated with NARDIL should not take sympathomimetic drugs (including amphetamines, cocaine, methylphenidate, dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) or related compounds (including methyldopa, L-dopa, L-tryptophan, L-tyrosine, and phenylalanine). |
Every other medicine the phenelzine label names
| Medicine named | Section | What the label says |
|---|---|---|
| Fluoxetine | contraindications | … movements and death) when serotoninergic drugs (e.g., dexfenfluramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram, venlafaxine) have been combined with an MAO inhibitor. |
| Fluvoxamine | contraindications | … death) when serotoninergic drugs (e.g., dexfenfluramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram, venlafaxine) have been combined with an MAO inhibitor. |
| Imipramine | warnings | … hydrochloride clomipramine hydrochloride desipramine hydrochloride imipramine hydrochloride doxepin carbamazepine cyclobenzaprine HCl amoxapine maprotiline HCl trimipramine maleate protriptyline HCl … |
| Isocarboxazid | contraindications | A List of MAO Inhibitors by Generic Name Follows: pargyline hydrochloride pargyline hydrochloride and methylclothiazide furazolidone isocarboxazid procarbazine tranylcypromine NARDIL should also not … |
| Meperidine | contraindications | Concomitant use with meperidine is contraindicated (see WARNINGS ). |
| Methyldopa | contraindications | … dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) or related compounds (including methyldopa, L-dopa, L-tryptophan, L-tyrosine, and phenylalanine). |
| Methylphenidate | contraindications | Therefore, patients being treated with NARDIL should not take sympathomimetic drugs (including amphetamines, cocaine, methylphenidate, dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) or related compounds … |
| Mirtazapine | warnings | … HCl amoxapine maprotiline HCl trimipramine maleate protriptyline HCl mirtazapine NARDIL should be used with caution in combination with antihypertensive drugs, including thiazide diuretics and … |
| Nortriptyline | warnings | A List of Dibenzazepine Derivative Drugs by Generic Name Follows: nortriptyline hydrochloride amitriptyline hydrochloride perphenazine and amitriptyline hydrochloride clomipramine hydrochloride … |
| Paroxetine | contraindications | … serotoninergic drugs (e.g., dexfenfluramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram, venlafaxine) have been combined with an MAO inhibitor. |
| Perphenazine | warnings | A List of Dibenzazepine Derivative Drugs by Generic Name Follows: nortriptyline hydrochloride amitriptyline hydrochloride perphenazine and amitriptyline hydrochloride clomipramine hydrochloride … |
| Phentolamine | warnings | On the basis of present evidence, phentolamine is recommended. (The dosage reported for phentolamine is 5 mg intravenously.) Care should be taken to administer this drug slowly in order to avoid … |
| Procarbazine | contraindications | A List of MAO Inhibitors by Generic Name Follows: pargyline hydrochloride pargyline hydrochloride and methylclothiazide furazolidone isocarboxazid procarbazine tranylcypromine NARDIL should also not … |
| Protriptyline | warnings | … cyclobenzaprine HCl amoxapine maprotiline HCl trimipramine maleate protriptyline HCl mirtazapine NARDIL should be used with caution in combination with antihypertensive drugs, including thiazide … |
| Sertraline | contraindications | … drugs (e.g., dexfenfluramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram, venlafaxine) have been combined with an MAO inhibitor. |
| Tranylcypromine | contraindications | … hydrochloride and methylclothiazide furazolidone isocarboxazid procarbazine tranylcypromine NARDIL should also not be used in combination with buspirone HCl, since several cases of elevated blood … |
| Trimipramine | warnings | … doxepin carbamazepine cyclobenzaprine HCl amoxapine maprotiline HCl trimipramine maleate protriptyline HCl mirtazapine NARDIL should be used with caution in combination with antihypertensive drugs … |
| Venlafaxine | contraindications | … dexfenfluramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram, venlafaxine) have been combined with an MAO inhibitor. |
Other labels that name phenelzine
Source: FDA drug label (Nardil), Parke-Davis Div of Pfizer Inc, effective June 6, 2025 (SPL set 513a41d0-37d4-4355-8a6d-a2c643bce6fa), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What do FAERS reports show for phenelzine?
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System holds 1,563 reports that list phenelzine among the medicines taken, through July 30, 2026, each a report of something that happened, not proof the medicine caused it; 41 are coded as a death and 331 as a hospital stay. Counts follow how widely a medicine is used and watched, and they are not a measure of how risky it is.
Reports received each year
The most reported reactions
Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) via openFDA, reports through July 30, 2026
What next?
- Alternatives to phenelzine
- medicines labeled for the same conditions
- Other MAO inhibitors
- the pharmacologic class, with prices and generics
- Phenelzine side effects
- the label's list beside FAERS reports
- Check an interaction
- what two or more labels say about each other