Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: ISOCARBOXAZID (eye-soe-kar-BOX-a-zid)
This medicine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) used to treat depression. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: ANTIDEPRESSANTS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF SUICIDAL THOUGHTS OR ACTIONS in children, teenagers, and young adults. However, depression and certain other mental problems may also increase the risk of suicide. Talk with the patient's doctor to be sure that the benefits of using this medicine outweigh the risks. Family and caregivers must closely watch patients who take this medicine. It is important to keep in close contact with the patient's doctor. Tell the doctor right away if the patient has symptoms like worsened depression, suicidal thoughts, or changes in behavior. Discuss any questions with the patient's doctor. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking apraclonidine, brimonidine, bupropion, buspirone, carbamazepine, cyclobenzaprine, dextromethorphan, entacapone, herbal products (e.g., ma huang), indoramin, meperidine, papaverine, sibutramine, SSRI antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine, citalopram), sympathomimetics (e.g., methylphenidate, ephedrine), tolcapone, tramadol, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, doxepin), or "triptans" (e.g., sumatriptan, zolmitriptan). ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking nefazodone, tryptophan, or medicine for diabetes. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including any mental or mood disorders (such as bipolar disorder), allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a history of heart, liver, or kidney conditions; high blood pressure; stroke; or pheochromocytoma. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. THIS MEDICINE MAY COME WITH A MEDICATION GUIDE. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light. CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel better. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. DO NOT STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE without first checking with your doctor. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking this medicine. CHILDREN, TEENAGERS, AND ADULTS WHO TAKE THIS MEDICINE MAY BE AT INCREASED RISK FOR SUICIDAL THOUGHTS OR ACTIONS. Watch all patients who take this medicine closely, especially at the start of treatment with this medicine and whenever a change in dose is made. CONTACT THE DOCTOR AT ONCE if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR AT ONCE if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE drowsiness or dizziness. If dizziness occurs, sit up or stand up slowly. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL while you are taking this medicine. AVOID LARGE AMOUNTS of coffee, tea, cola drinks, or chocolate. If you have questions about how much is excessive, ask your doctor. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INCREASES IN BLOOD PRESSURE if certain foods are eaten. Avoid eating foods such as aged cheeses, sour cream, red wines, beer, bologna, pepperoni, salami, summer sausage, pickled herring, liver, meat prepared with tenderizers, canned figs, raisins, bananas, avocados, soy sauce, fava beans, or yeast extracts. Obtain a complete list of foods and beverages from your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. THIS MEDICINE WILL ADD TO THE EFFECTS of other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants. Follow all of these cautions for at least 4 weeks after taking the last dose. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any medicine that contains pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, or dextromethorphan. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include anxiety, tremors, constipation, dry mouth, blurred vision, or upset stomach. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience a severe headache, changes in heartbeat, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, or chest pain. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience severe nervousness or anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, feelings of irritability or hostility, impulsive behavior or other unusual changes in behavior, severe restlessness, worsening feelings of depression, thoughts of hurting yourself, or any other mental or mood changes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may be delayed for up to 12 hours and may include agitation, cold or clammy skin, confusion, unusual drowsiness, excitement, fever, flushing, fast heartbeat, severe headache, irritability, loss of consciousness, restlessness, severe dizziness, slow breathing, seizures, sweating, and weakness.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.