Posted by Jedi on July 22, 2005, at 3:19:59
In reply to Re: 45 mg nardil? » mworkman, posted by mworkman on July 20, 2005, at 17:09:26
I have been on and off phenelzine (Nardil) for the past nine years. This is the only medication out of at least twenty-five different combinations that has worked for my severe, treatment resistant, atypical depression. The usual effective dose is stated as 1mg per kg of body weight. Thus a 165 pound person will likely require a 75mg daily dose or five 15mg tablets daily. The maximum dose is stated as 90mg per day, however this has been exceeded in patients with severe depression and a gutsy doctor. Psychiatrists will start at a low dose and ramp up in an attempt to minimize the drug side effects. The problem with this is it will take about three or four weeks for the medication to kick in after the effective dose is reached. This will seem like an awfully long time for someone who is deathly ill.
For me, the worst side effect has been severe carbohydrate cravings resulting in weight gain of about 30kg. The only way I’ve been able to control the weight is with two hours of strenuous exercise daily. I believe that weight gains, along with the sexual side effects, are the primary reasons patients stop taking phenelzine. However, with true treatment resistant depression, there will be no question which is the worst of the evils.
poster:Jedi
thread:530088
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050718/msgs/531406.html