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What the FDA labels say about taking them together

Isocarboxazid and methylphenidate

Isocarboxazid's FDA label of April 21, 2026 names methylphenidate in its contraindications section; methylphenidate's label does not name isocarboxazid itself but warns about its class (MAO inhibitors).

Check it at the source: the isocarboxazid FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 21, 2026, Lifsa Drugs LLC); the methylphenidate FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 31, 2026, Lannett Company, LLC).

What does the isocarboxazid label say about methylphenidate?

Isocarboxazid label, contraindications

Use of sympathomimetics and compounds such as guanethidine, methyldopa, methylphenidate, reserpine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, phenylalanine, dopamine, levodopa, tyrosine, and tryptophan with Marplan may precipitate hypertension, headache, and related symptoms.

Source: FDA drug label (MARPLAN), Lifsa Drugs LLC, effective April 21, 2026 (SPL set 95fde749-44ad-4668-86c4-0ff17bca0074), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed

What does the methylphenidate label say about isocarboxazid?

Methylphenidate's label does not name isocarboxazid itself; it warns about its class (MAO inhibitors):

Methylphenidate label, contraindications

Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Capsules CD is contraindicated in: Known hypersensitivity to methylphenidate or other components of Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Capsules CD ( 4 ) Concurrent treatment with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), or use of an MAOI within the preceding 14 days ( 4 ) Use in patients with patients with hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption, or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency ( 4 ) Patients with pheochromocytoma or a history of …

Methylphenidate label, contraindications

Concomitant treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or within 14 days following discontinuation of treatment with an MAOI, because of the risk of hypertensive crisis [see Drug Interactions ( 7 )].

Source: FDA drug label (methylphenidate hydrochloride CD), Lannett Company, LLC, effective July 31, 2026 (SPL set e45c75dc-d381-475b-b649-a871c8a36e60), 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

0Isocarboxazid generic labelers
31Methylphenidate generic labelers
IsocarboxazidMethylphenidate
Labeled forDepressionADHD
Boxed warningYesYes
Pharmacy cost (NADAC)n/a$0.158 per tablet 10 mg tablet
Shortage nowIn shortageIn shortage

Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)

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