1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Bipolar Disorder

Nardil / Phenelzine Side Effects
Bipolar Medications Library

By Kimberly Read & Marcia Purse, About.com

Updated July 17, 2006

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Nardil - generic Phenelzine - is an antidepressant of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor or MAOI type.

Common Side Effects:

Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Blurred vision; decreased amount of urine; decreased sexual ability; dizziness or lightheadedness (mild), especially when getting up from a lying or sitting position; drowsiness; headache (mild); increased appetite (especially for sweets) or weight gain; increased sweating; muscle twitching during sleep; restlessness; shakiness or trembling; tiredness and weakness; trouble in sleeping

Less Common or Rare Side Effects:

Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Chills; constipation; decreased appetite; dryness of mouth

Stop taking this medicine and get emergency help immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Symptoms of unusually high blood pressure (hypertensive crisis):

Chest pain (severe); enlarged pupils; fast or slow heartbeat; headache (severe); increased sensitivity of eyes to light; increased sweating (possibly with fever or cold, clammy skin); nausea and vomiting; stiff or sore neck

Always Notify Doctor:

More Common: Dizziness or lightheadedness (severe), especially when getting up from a lying or sitting position

Less Common: Diarrhea; fast or pounding heartbeat; swelling of feet or lower legs; unusual excitement or nervousness

Rare: Dark urine; fever; skin rash; slurred speech; sore throat; staggering walk; yellow eyes or skin

Overdose Effects - Notify Doctor:

Anxiety (severe); confusion; convulsions (seizures); cool, clammy skin; dizziness (severe); drowsiness (severe); fast and irregular pulse; fever; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there); headache (severe); high or low blood pressure; muscle stiffness; sweating; troubled breathing; trouble in sleeping (severe); unusual irritability

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Explore Bipolar Disorder
About.com Special Features

Learn how you can reduce your your numbers with these nutrition and exercise tips. More >

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Bipolar Disorder
  4. Medications
  5. Antidepressants
  6. MAOIs
  7. Nardil
  8. Side Effects - Nardil / Phenelzine - Bipolar Disorder Medications>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.