Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 129279

For what it's worth, I talked with a "medical representitive" of Pfizer this morning and she was pretty adamant they are continuing production of Nardil. She said the shortage stems from production problems (I assume the FDA recall) and that it would be back in pharmacies in about two weeks. I mentioned the rumors that they themselves were stopping production, and she said absolutely not. I just hope that two weeks doesn't stretch into much longer...

Re: Nardil

Posted by jef on November 26, 2002, at 13:25:20

In reply to Re: Nardil, posted by KellyM on November 26, 2002, at 9:48:18

Thanks for the info.
My supply of shiny red 15 mg phenelzine tabs is depleted and I am starting uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. I wonder if an alternative MAOI is available?
What prompted this whole mess?
-------------------------------

For what it's worth, I talked with a "medical representitive" of Pfizer this morning and she was pretty adamant they are continuing production of Nardil. She said the shortage stems from production problems (I assume the FDA recall) and that it would be back in pharmacies in about two weeks. I mentioned the rumors that they themselves were stopping production, and she said absolutely not. I just hope that two weeks doesn't stretch into much longer...

Re: Nardil

Posted by cosis on November 26, 2002, at 15:31:39

In reply to Re: Nardil, posted by jef on November 26, 2002, at 13:25:20

Ask your doc about Parnate, it is similar to Nardil.. that is what my doc would have put me on if the supply ran out completely..

Re: Nardil

Posted by cosis on November 26, 2002, at 15:32:16

In reply to Re: Nardil, posted by KellyM on November 26, 2002, at 9:48:18

Thanks Kelly, let
s keep our fingures crossed :)

Re: Nardil/jef and cosis

Posted by KellyM on November 27, 2002, at 4:33:13

In reply to Re: Nardil, posted by cosis on November 26, 2002, at 15:32:16

Sorry jef about your situation, that's terrible. Have you asked your doctor about the situation? It may be a long shot, but I know the practice where my doctor is keeps unused medications donated by patients. Maybe he/she can make a few phone calls to other doctors in the area- just an idea. Like cosis said Parnate is an option, but I thought it takes a couple of weeks washout from Nardil (maybe I'm wrong about that). Maybe there is an online pharmacy that ships quick if your doctor faxes the prescription.
cosis, you mentioned that it's still available in your area. Do you mind letting us know which pharmacy you get it from? I take 90mg a day, and the Kroger pharmacy was only able to fill 30 tablets they had on hand. Luckily I had still some left over, so with some stretching I've got about a two week supply. The pharmist there has checked other pharmacies in the area for me, but I'm just wondering if she can only check their on hand supply...not what they may be able to get ordering. I guess I'll make some more phone calls and keep my fingers crossed :)

Re: Nardil

Posted by djmmm on November 27, 2002, at 7:00:26

In reply to Re: Nardil, posted by jef on November 26, 2002, at 13:25:20

I switched to Parnate a week or so ago because of this Nardil situation...I havent noticed a difference between the two...the only thing I don't like is having to take one 15mg pill 3x a day, whereas with the Nardil, I took all four 15mg pills at once in the morning...

Re: Nardil/jef and cosis

Posted by djmmm on November 27, 2002, at 7:10:19

In reply to Re: Nardil/jef and cosis, posted by KellyM on November 27, 2002, at 4:33:13

Washout isn't necessary when switching between Nardil and Parnate....I began Parnate about 12 hours after taking my last nardil dose (which was only 30mg, because that's all I had left)

Re: Nardil/jef and cosis

Posted by cosis on November 27, 2002, at 11:02:40

In reply to Re: Nardil/jef and cosis, posted by KellyM on November 27, 2002, at 4:33:13

I got mine at CVS, although you could try Walgreens, Rite Aid, or check the yellow pages for some other owns you may not of heard of.. if your only trying Kroger that's not enough.. I tried 3 different ones before I found some. I take 90mg also and they supplied me with 200 pills the other day......

Re: Nardil/jef and cosis

Posted by jef on November 27, 2002, at 14:08:42

In reply to Re: Nardil/jef and cosis, posted by cosis on November 27, 2002, at 11:02:40

Thanks for the info!
I found an FDA report referring to a Nardil recall. (See this link.)
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/enforce/2002/ENF00765.html
BTW, my doc told me I shouldn't switch to Parnate without a washout.
Yesterday, my doc spoke with Pfizer and heard the drug was again available.
I've taken this stuff for a long time. I guess I need to stash some away for "rainy days....."

Re: Nardil

Posted by DKHughes on November 29, 2002, at 10:42:42

In reply to Nardil, posted by jef on November 25, 2002, at 18:39:10

I also have been on Nardil for a number of years. I am having the same problem getting my refills.
I think that all of us that are in this situation need to contact Pfizer Co. and complain. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, they say.
What I have found out is that Nardil was manufactured by Park-Davis and that Pfizer had bought Park-Davis out. The shortage of Nardil seems to worsen at the time the ownership of the companies transpired.
My personal opinion is that it is a money issue, with Pfizer probably trying to phase Nardil out, due to cost effectiveness.
If we, who are wishing to remain on Nardil do not voice our opinion to the company, I am afraid that they will quit producing the drug.
I am going to contact Pfizer and voice my complaint. Please do the same. It simply cannot hurt, and it might help.
Here is Pfizer's toll free number for any of you who wish to contact them.
Pfizer 1-800-438-1985
Pfizer.com
Parke-Davis 1-800-223-0432
Parke-Davis.com
dkhughes48@hotmail.com
DKHughes

Re: Nardil FOUND A WAY11

Posted by sciutti on January 11, 2003, at 18:49:18

In reply to Re: Nardil, posted by DKHughes on November 29, 2002, at 10:42:42

I have found a way to get Nardil, if anyone is still having problems - they are indeed having manufacturing problems. Here's how to get a months supply. #1-800-533-4535, which is the distribution center. They need to be called by the pharmacy and have them ask for the form for a "drop shipment". If your pharmacy's wholesaler has previously been able to get nardil, they can get the drug. My pharmacy is ordering and able to get 200 15mg. Don't know when. My contact person, Sarah at 1-800-223-0432 ( Pfizer) said that the manufacturers problems should be fixed at the end of Jan. Maybe??!! I hope ya'll can at least get a months supply. Joanne. (I didn't read all the posts so this may be a repeat.)

Re: Nardil I've Been Getting It Too! » sciutti

Posted by victoria1063 on January 15, 2003, at 1:02:56

In reply to Re: Nardil FOUND A WAY11, posted by sciutti on January 11, 2003, at 18:49:18

So far I've been able to get Nardil. I've had to have my pharmacist's warehouse call Pfizer and have the Nardil drop-shipped to them overnight. It then takes the warehouse 1-2 days to get the Nardil to my pharmacist.
Now I have to keep up with how many I have left. I'm usually running to the drug store to refill my Nardil when I have only 1 pill left. Now, I have to try to remember to start thinking about reordering a week and a half before I run out. The last time I had to refill it, I was down to 1 pill and was told by my pharmacist that it would take 3-4 days to get another refill. I must have called over 50 pharmacies looking for a drugist that had an open bottle on his shelf before I actually found one with 100 pills. SO...next time I must remember to start EARLY! It's unlikely I'll be as fortunate again. I don't think there's any more Nardil sitting around not being used!
I'm 48 and have been working on agoraphobia, anxiety and depression for about 30 years and have been on Nardil for about 25 of those years. I think all the anxiety and neurotic thinking has begun to fry my brain! I write lists to remember what I have to do and forget to look at them. I post all my appointments on the calendar and then forget to look at the calendar again! Maybe I should start writing important notes on my body with some type of waterproof ink! :) But, I'd probably forget to look there too! :)
I would like to thank everyone that has posted to this thread. It helped me work with my pharmacist in getting the Nardil. I don't know if I believe Pfizer or not, but at least for now, I can continue getting it.
This thread starting quite awhile ago, I hope all of you have been able to find Nardil. I'd hate to see it go off the market.
Thanks again.

Re: Nardil I've Been Getting It Too! » victoria1063

Posted by Luka62 on January 23, 2003, at 23:49:53

In reply to Re: Nardil I've Been Getting It Too! » sciutti, posted by victoria1063 on January 15, 2003, at 1:02:56

Thanks so much for the information. I've had no trouble getting Nardil at all until this month, and it sent me into a near-panic. I've been on Nardil for 15yrs, and each time I went off it for a trial, of late 2 1/2 years ago for 3 months, it was devastating! I only found out 2 days ago my pharmacist couln't get it, and no others in the area have any in stock. I will ask the pharmacist to contact Pfizer and the distrib. ctr tomorrow to ask for a drop shipment, and pray it comes through. thanks to all of you.

Re: Nardil FOUND A WAY11

Posted by Luka62 on January 24, 2003, at 15:01:54

In reply to Re: Nardil FOUND A WAY11, posted by sciutti on January 11, 2003, at 18:49:18

Thanks soooo much to you all for helping me to quickly resolve the problem with Nardil shortages. I was really anxious! I too had my pharmacist contact his wholesaler who contacted Pfizer, and they FedEx'd out right away. Pfizer said until their production problems are solved, this is the way they are getting the Nardil to their customers quickly. Big sigh of relief!!!Hopefully this issue will be resolved soon.

Re: Nardil FOUND A WAY11

Posted by victoria1063 on January 24, 2003, at 18:42:57

In reply to Re: Nardil FOUND A WAY11, posted by Luka62 on January 24, 2003, at 15:01:54

I'm glad you were able to get your Nardil also. I know exactly what's it's like waiting and hoping it comes in. So far, so good. I'm just afraid that Pfizer is going to eventually discontinue Nardil as it may not be that profitable a drug. Let's hope they keep us in mind in making their decisions!

Re: Nardil FOUND A WAY11

Posted by Jack Smith on January 24, 2003, at 19:02:04

In reply to Re: Nardil FOUND A WAY11, posted by victoria1063 on January 24, 2003, at 18:42:57

I can't imagine that nardil is not that profitable. Pfizer is the only company making it, there is no research costs because of how long it's been out. It really can't cost that much at all to make. The only thing I can think that would be expensive is possible liability issues because of all the interactions but I think that the warnings that the drug company gives is more than adequate to cover itself.

Re: Nardil FOUND A WAY11

Posted by Luka62 on January 24, 2003, at 20:13:26

In reply to Re: Nardil FOUND A WAY11, posted by Jack Smith on January 24, 2003, at 19:02:04

> I can't imagine that nardil is not that profitable. Pfizer is the only company making it, there is no research costs because of how long it's been out. It really can't cost that much at all to make. The only thing I can think that would be expensive is possible liability issues because of all the interactions but I think that the warnings that the drug company gives is more than adequate to cover itself.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
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I don't know exactly what the production problems Pfizer is having. I'm certainly relieved that Pfizer is doing what they need to do to drop-ship the orders expediently. This production problem has been going on, how long...several months? It had to have put a real strain on Pfizer just for having to eat the extra costs of FedEx'ing drop-ship orders to individual pharmacies, while they attempt to catch up on manufacturing Nardil.
I've been on it for 17 years, and liability issues over the last decade regarding the manufacturer are minimal because the warnings are very specific about its dangers.
Where either patients do not comply with the instructions, or physicians do not explain the risks, there you have liability issues. I.E.--the New York patient given Demerol while on Nardil. This has happened here in this state at least twice and a patient died.
I was inpatient once and was given Demerol, ordered by a resident. They knew I was on Nardil, and I coded, and was revived; I have found that perhaps because Nardil isn't prescribed as much anymore with the advent in the last 2 decades of safer meds, that many doctors-in-training, and even established physicians themselves are Not aware of the risks, potentially putting their patients in harm's way.

Re: Nardil FOUND A WAY11

Posted by djmmm on January 25, 2003, at 8:32:04

In reply to Re: Nardil FOUND A WAY11, posted by Luka62 on January 24, 2003, at 20:13:26

Previous "production problems" have had to do with non-compliance to basic standards set by the FDA... see my post here:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030119/msgs/137394.html

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