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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ww7 on May 21, 2019, at 8:52:15
Hi all, my first post here.
Im looking for an up-to-date overview of all Phenelzine/Nardil brands that are currently marketed.
Living in Europe I had access to Nardelzine marketed by Pfizer. This worked wonders for me until recently Pfizer pauzed the distribution of Nardelzine (and from what I hear it is doubtful that it'll be back soon). So with no more acces to Nardelzine I had to quit cold turkey The first weeks were surprisingly ok but afterwards I crashed and life became a real struggle as it always was
So my doctor got me Nardil from the international market (the bottle I got was Canadian)
Strange enough I didn't tollerate Nardil that well, it is very hard on the stomach and I feel really sick when taking it. Very strange since I never experienced these problems with Nardelzine.After doing some research on the subject I came across the theorie that the effectiveness of phenelzine and how well it is tolerated depends heavily on the inactive ingrediënts of the tablet and specifically how these ingrediënts affect the release-rate of the tablet. Nardil tabs presumably release faster in comparison to some other brands. I've read that back when Nardil was reformulated (2003) a lot of people found the new tabs to be much less effective and started expieriencing harsher side effects in comparison to the older formula. The phenelzine peak plasma levels with the old formula were estemated to be between 2-4h after intake, with the current formula plasma levels peak after 45minutes.
So as Nardilzine worked great for me (and so many meds don't work for me) Im determined to get my hands on Phenelzine again. There are a couple of options but the first thing I can try is finding a brand that I tolerate better.So that brings me back to my question, what meds (brands) are currently marketed (worldwide) with the active ingrediënt Phenelzine?
Also, are there any Nardelzine users with the same problem?
Anyone else expierienced these differences between different brands?
Is there anyone who studied this subject more extensively and is willing to share more information on the subject?
Posted by PeterMartin on May 22, 2019, at 7:09:05
In reply to Phenelzine/Nardil, posted by ww7 on May 21, 2019, at 8:52:15
Who manufactures the Canadian brand Nardil you have? If the bottle doesn't say what are the inscriptions on the pills?
I took Nardil all last year (until I was able to get Marplan again). In the US there are 2 manufactures of the generic phenelzine: Gavis & Greenstone.
Gavis always seemed stronger for me in a sense I would often feel something an hour or two after taking a 30mg dose (2pills). I didn't get the same feeling w Greenstone.
From what I understand Greenstone is exactly the same as the Pfizer brand version. Iirc they actually made it in the same place etc. Its more subtle than the Gavis brand. A lot of people seemed to prefer Gavis since it at least seemed a bit stronger.
If youre having side effects with one or the other Id definitely recommend trying the other. I never had issues getting my pharmacy (I'm in California) to get either type. The good thing is there are differences between the two so I'd think you'll probably do ok if you get the other brand.
Posted by ww7 on May 23, 2019, at 15:33:42
In reply to Re: Phenelzine/Nardil, posted by PeterMartin on May 22, 2019, at 7:09:05
Thanks for your reply PeterMartin, I'm always very interested in gaining insight and hearing other peoples experiences with this drug.
The bottle says ERFA Canada 2012 Inc.
My doctor actually gave me a stomach protector but more importantly he had the pharmacy flatten and recap my pills. Its now in regular caps but with an enteric coating applied, some kind of polymer the pharmacist told me. This keeps them from opening until they reach the small intestine bypassing the stomach. This actually makes a huge difference (no more stomach problems and feeling sick) and it feels just like Nardelzine did for me. So I'm actually feeling pretty good once again and I have good hope it will last.
Im feeling relieved after going to hard times once again.
It really sucks when there is a med you need to function and its suddenly gone
Posted by TH on May 23, 2019, at 15:46:07
In reply to Re: Phenelzine/Nardil, posted by ww7 on May 23, 2019, at 15:33:42
> Thanks for your reply PeterMartin, I'm always very interested in gaining insight and hearing other peoples experiences with this drug.
>
> The bottle says ERFA Canada 2012 Inc.
>
> My doctor actually gave me a stomach protector but more importantly he had the pharmacy flatten and recap my pills. Its now in regular caps but with an enteric coating applied, some kind of polymer the pharmacist told me. This keeps them from opening until they reach the small intestine bypassing the stomach. This actually makes a huge difference (no more stomach problems and feeling sick) and it feels just like Nardelzine did for me. So I'm actually feeling pretty good once again and I have good hope it will last.
>
> Im feeling relieved after going to hard times once again.
> It really sucks when there is a med you need to function and its suddenly gone
>That's great news and very interesting to hear. I'm excited for you!
Posted by atypical on May 24, 2019, at 7:24:08
In reply to Re: Phenelzine/Nardil, posted by PeterMartin on May 22, 2019, at 7:09:05
I concur with Peter Martin. Gavis is stronger so I take 1/4 tablet less than 60 mg. Greenstone doesn't feel too great in my GI system.
Posted by Stargazer2 on June 25, 2019, at 23:40:08
In reply to Re: Phenelzine/Nardil, posted by atypical on May 24, 2019, at 7:24:08
Im on Nardil. Arent all pills 15 mg? Dont understand taking a quarter of the pull. You cant cut them.
Im in bed but will check the manufacturer.
I took Marplan or was it Nardil when Roche discontinued it in 2003. What a disaster. I never found another version of the MAO that worked as well.
I just added DL-Phenylalanine to my cocktail and it has eliminated by suicidal ideation.
Also, I have had the test done to determine which meds will work for people based on liver enzyme metabolism of medications. Everyone has to have it done. It showed that MAAos are mostly likely the best meds for me and they are. I failed most ADs over my 30+ years of treatment for depression depression.
I recently was on IV Ketamine. Thats a long story...
Staegazer
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