What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Citalopram and phenelzine
Phenelzine's FDA label of June 6, 2025 names citalopram in its contraindications section; citalopram's label does not name phenelzine itself but warns about its class (MAO inhibitors).
Check it at the source: the citalopram FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 9, 2023, Allergan, Inc.); the phenelzine FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 6, 2025, Parke-Davis Div of Pfizer Inc).
What does the citalopram label say about phenelzine?
Citalopram's label does not name phenelzine itself; it warns about its class (MAO inhibitors):
Citalopram label, contraindicationsCONTRAINDICATIONS CELEXA is contraindicated in patients: taking, or within 14 days of stopping, MAOIs (including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue) because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ), Drug Interactions ( 7 )]. taking pimozide because of risk of QT prolongation [ see Drug Interactions ( 7 )]. with known hypersensitivity to citalopram or any of the inactive ingredients in CELEXA.
Citalopram label, drug interactionsIntervention CELEXA is contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 ), Contraindications ( 4 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )].
Source: FDA drug label (Celexa), NDA020822 (Abbvie), as published by Allergan, Inc., effective October 9, 2023 (SPL set 4259d9b1-de34-43a4-85a8-41dd214e9177), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the phenelzine label say about citalopram?
Phenelzine label, contraindicationsThere 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.
Phenelzine label, drug interactionsDrug 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.
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
| Citalopram | Phenelzine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression | n/a |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.026 per tablet 10 mg tablet | $0.586 per tablet 15 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | 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