What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Carbamazepine and phenelzine
Phenelzine's FDA label of June 6, 2025 names carbamazepine in its warnings section; carbamazepine's label does not name phenelzine itself but warns about its class (MAO inhibitors).
Check it at the source: the carbamazepine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 20, 2026, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation); the phenelzine FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 6, 2025, Parke-Davis Div of Pfizer Inc).
What does the carbamazepine label say about phenelzine?
Carbamazepine's label does not name phenelzine itself; it warns about its class (MAO inhibitors):
Carbamazepine label, contraindicationsBefore administration of Tegretol, MAO inhibitors should be discontinued for a minimum of 14 days, or longer if the clinical situation permits.
Carbamazepine label, contraindicationsLikewise, on theoretical grounds its use with monoamine oxidase inhibitors is not recommended.
Source: FDA drug label (Tegretol), Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, effective August 20, 2026 (SPL set 8d409411-aa9f-4f3a-a52c-fbcb0c3ec053), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the phenelzine label say about carbamazepine?
Phenelzine label, warningsA 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 trimipramine maleate protriptyline HCl mirtazapine NARDIL should be used with caution in combination with antihypertensive drugs, including thiazide diuretics and β-blockers, since exaggerated hypotensive effects may result.
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
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Carbamazepine | Phenelzine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bipolar disorder, Seizures and epilepsy | n/a |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.119 per tablet 200 mg tablet | $0.586 per tablet 15 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once