Generic Name: isocarboxazid (eye so kar BOX a zid)
Brand Names: Marplan
What is Marplan (isocarboxazid)?
Isocarboxazid is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) that works by increasing the levels of certain chemicals in the brain.
Isocarboxazid is used to treat symptoms of depression that may include anxiety, panic, or phobias. This medication is usually given after other antidepressants have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.
Isocarboxazid may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Marplan (isocarboxazid)?
There are many other medicines that can cause serious or life-threatening medical problems if you take them together with isocarboxazid. Do not take isocarboxazid before telling your doctor about all other prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor, dentist, or other healthcare provider who treats you.
You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
Treatments for depression are getting better everyday and there are things you can start doing right away.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself. While you are taking isocarboxazid, you must not drink alcohol or eat foods that are high in tyramine, listed in the "What should I avoid while taking isocarboxazid?" section of this leaflet. Eating tyramine while you are taking isocarboxazid can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels, causing symptoms that include sudden and severe headache, rapid heartbeat, stiffness in your neck, nausea, vomiting, cold sweat, vision problems, and sensitivity to light. Stop taking isocarboxazid and call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms. Isocarboxazid can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What should I discuss with my doctor before taking Marplan (isocarboxazid)?
Do not use this medication if you have used another MAOI such as phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take isocarboxazid before another MAOI has cleared from your body. Do not take this medication if you are allergic to isocarboxazid, or if you have:
pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);
a history of stroke or blood clots;
liver disease;
kidney disease;
heart disease;
high blood pressure; or
a history of severe or frequent headaches.
There are many other medicines that can cause serious or life-threatening medical problems if you take them together with isocarboxazid. The following drugs should not be used while you are taking isocarboxazid:
diet pills, caffeine, stimulants, ADHD medication, asthma medication, over-the-counter cough and cold or allergy medicines;
blood pressure medication;
diuretics (water pills);
bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban);
buspirone (BuSpar);
carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);
furazolidone (Furoxone);
meperidine (Demerol, Mepergan);
pargyline (Eutonyl);
procarbazine (Matulane);
alcohol or medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety).
antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), amoxapine (Ascendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adepin, Sinequan), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), or trimipramine (Surmontil); or
antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft).
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need an isocarboxazid dose adjustment or special tests:
high blood pressure;
diabetes;
a thyroid disorder;
schizophrenia;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
if you have taken another antidepressant within the past 5 weeks; or
if you are also taking tryptophan (L-tryptophan), guanethidine (Ismelin), levodopa (Larodopa, Parcopa, Sinemet), or methyldopa (Aldomet).
You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether isocarboxazid will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. It is not known whether isocarboxazid passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give isocarboxazid to anyone younger than 16 years old without the advice of a doctor.
How should I take Marplan (isocarboxazid)?
Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.
Your blood pressure will need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. It may take up to 6 weeks or longer before you notice improvement in your symptoms. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
See also: Marplan dosage (in more detail)
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms may include shallow breathing, fast heart rate, sweating, fever, slow reflexes, feeling light-headed, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while taking Marplan (isocarboxazid)?
While you are taking isocarboxazid you must not eat foods that are high in tyramine, including:
cheese (especially strong or aged cheeses);
sour cream and yogurt;
beer (including non-alcoholic beer), sherry, Chianti wine, liquers;
dry sausage (such as hard salami, pepperoni), anchovies, caviar, liver, pickled herring;
canned figs, raisins, bananas;
avocados;
chocolate or caffeine;
soy sauce;
sauerkraut;
fava beans;
yeast extracts;
meat extracts;
meat prepared with tenderizer; or
over-the-counter supplements or cough and cold medicines that contain dextromethorphan or tyramine.
You should become very familiar with the list of foods and medicines you must avoid while you are taking isocarboxazid. Eating tyramine while you are taking isocarboxazid can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels which could cause life-threatening side effects.
Isocarboxazid may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Marplan (isocarboxazid) side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Stop using isocarboxazid and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
sudden and severe headache, rapid heartbeat, stiffness in your neck, nausea, vomiting, cold sweat, sweating, vision problems, sensitivity to light;
chest pain, fast or slow heart rate;
swelling, rapid weight gain;
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
feeling light-headed, fainting.
Less serious side effects may include:
dizziness, headache;
tremors or shaking;
constipation, nausea; or
dry mouth.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Marplan (isocarboxazid)?
There are many other medicines that can cause serious or life-threatening medical problems if you take them together with isocarboxazid. Do not take isocarboxazid before telling your doctor about all other prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor, dentist, or other healthcare provider who treats you.
More Marplan resources
- Marplan Side Effects (in more detail)
- Marplan Dosage
- Marplan Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Marplan Drug Interactions
- Marplan Support Group
- 2 Reviews for Marplan - Add your own review/rating
- Marplan Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Marplan Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Marplan MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Isocarboxazid Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare Marplan with other medications
- Depression
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about isocarboxzazid.
See also: Marplan side effects (in more detail)
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