NARDIL (phenelzine) has been found to be effective in depressed patients clinically characterized as “atypical,” “nonendogenous,” or “neurotic.” These patients often have mixed anxiety and depression and phobic or hypochondriacal features. There is less conclusive evidence of its usefulness with severely depressed patients with endogenous features.

NARDIL (phenelzine) should rarely be the first antidepressant drug used. Rather, it is more suitable for use with patients who have failed to respond to the drugs more commonly used for these conditions.

Initial dose: The usual starting dose of NARDIL (phenelzine) is one tablet (15 mg) three times a day.

Early phase treatment: Dosage should be increased to at least 60 mg per day at a fairly rapid pace consistent with patient tolerance. It may be necessary to increase dosage up to 90 mg per day to obtain sufficient MAO inhibition. Many patients do not show a clinical response until treatment at 60 mg has been continued for at least 4 weeks.

Maintenance dose: After maximum benefit from NARDIL (phenelzine) is achieved, dosage should be reduced slowly over several weeks. Maintenance dose may be as low as one tablet, 15 mg, a day or every other day, and should be continued for as long as is required.

Each NARDIL (phenelzine) tablet is orange, biconvex, film-coated, and engraved with “P-D 270” and contains phenelzine sulfate equivalent to 15 mg of phenelzine base.

NDC 0071-0350-60. Bottle of 60

Storage:

Store between 15° - 30°C (59° - 86°F).

Distributed by Parke-Davis., Division of Pfizer Inc, NY, NY 10017 Revised May 2007. FDA Rev date: 8/2/2007

Last reviewed on RxList: 8/29/2007
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.