What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Phenelzine and sertraline
Phenelzine's FDA label of June 6, 2025 names sertraline in its contraindications section, and sertraline's label names phenelzine too. The sertraline label: “The concomitant use of SSRIs including ZOLOFT and MAOIs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.”
Check it at the source: the phenelzine FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 6, 2025, Parke-Davis Div of Pfizer Inc); the sertraline FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 8, 2023, Viatris Specialty LLC).
What does the phenelzine label say about sertraline?
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
What does the sertraline label say about phenelzine?
Sertraline label, drug interactionsMonoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of SSRIs including ZOLOFT and MAOIs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. Intervention: ZOLOFT is contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue [See,, ]. Examples: selegiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, linezolid, methylene blue
Source: FDA drug label (Sertraline Hydrochloride, NDA020990), Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective September 15, 2024 (SPL set 1a58062b-e635-431a-908d-2651c6a4a21c), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Zoloft), Viatris Specialty LLC, effective August 8, 2023 (SPL set fda754f6-d0f3-4dce-a17a-927d64f912f7), 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
| Phenelzine | Sertraline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | n/a | Depression, Anxiety |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.586 per tablet 15 mg tablet | $0.0507 per tablet 100 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