What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Phenelzine and tapentadol
Tapentadol's FDA label of February 26, 2026 names phenelzine in its drug interactions section; the phenelzine label PlainMeds reads does not name tapentadol. The tapentadol label: “MAOI interactions with opioids may manifest as serotonin syndrome or opioid toxicity”
Check it at the source: the phenelzine FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 6, 2025, Parke-Davis Div of Pfizer Inc); the tapentadol FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 26, 2026, Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.).
What does the phenelzine label say about tapentadol?
Phenelzine's label (effective June 6, 2025) does not name tapentadol in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.
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 tapentadol label say about phenelzine?
Tapentadol label, drug interactionsMonoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Clinical Impact: MAOI interactions with opioids may manifest as serotonin syndrome or opioid toxicity (…) … while closely monitoring blood pressure and signs and symptoms of CNS and respiratory depression. Examples: phenelzine, tranylcypromine, linezolid
Tapentadol label (Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., February 26, 2026), drug interactionsMonoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Clinical Impact: MAOI interactions with opioids may manifest as serotonin syndrome or opioid toxicity (…). Intervention: Do not use tapentadol extended-release tablet in patients taking MAOIs or within 14 days of stopping such treatment. Examples: phenelzine, tranylcypromine, linezolid
Source: FDA drug label (Tapentadol, NDA200533), Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., effective February 26, 2026 (SPL set 38de863e-56ff-4c43-9ab8-9b3e1ba82858), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (TAPENTADOL), Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., effective February 26, 2026 (SPL set 863f3fd3-1e8d-41b0-855f-8f9a29237cda), 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 | Tapentadol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | n/a | Pain |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.586 per tablet 15 mg tablet | $14.48 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