Phenelzine Side Effects and Warnings

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Wear disease medical alert identification.

• If you have been taking this medicine for several weeks, talk with healthcare provider before stopping. You may want to gradually withdraw this medicine.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Do not use over-the-counter medicines containing dextromethorphan or pseudoephedrine. Can cause life-threatening high blood pressure.

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).

• Avoid caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.

• Headache.

• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

• Inability to sleep.

• High blood pressure can rarely occur.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• If you are planning to harm yourself or the desire to harm yourself increases.

• Chest pain or pressure, fast heartbeat, or passing out.

• Confusion; very nervous; anger with sweating, shivering, stiffness, or shaking.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.