Isocarboxazid, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: MAO inhibitor antidepressant

Generic and brand names: isocarboxazid, oral; Marplan

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is an MAO inhibitor taken by mouth to treat certain types of depression.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes. Do not take more or less of it or take it longer than prescribed.

Do not stop taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may make you drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help.

Do not take any other medicines without your health care provider's approval. If you need surgery, emergency care, or dental work, tell the health care provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

Important note: Stop taking this medicine and get medical care right away if you have heavy sweating, severe chest pain, severe headache, faster or slower heartbeat, large pupils, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, or any other serious effects.

Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your health care provider about this.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Breast-feeding is not recommended while you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Dark urine, rash, diarrhea, swelling, yellowish eyes or skin, heavy sweating, severe chest pain, severe headache, faster or slower heartbeat, large pupils, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting.

Other: Dry mouth, trouble urinating, trembling, mild headache, blurred vision, weakness, drowsiness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Also, using these medicines together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking any of these medicines:

• amphetamines and certain appetite suppressants
• antidepressants such as imipramine (Tofranil) and desipramine (Norpramin, Pertofrane)
• antihistamines
• bupropion (Wellbutrin)
• buspirone (BuSpar)
• carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• dextromethorphan
• levodopa (Larodopa, Sinemet)
• medicines used to lower your blood pressure
• meperidine (Demerol)
• sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton), butabarbital (Butisol), and amobarbital (Amytal)
• sumatriptan (Imitrex)
• thiazide diuretics such as chlorothiazide (Diuril) and hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL, Esidrix)
• tranquilizers such as diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), and alprazolam (Xanax).

Many foods and beverages contain chemicals that may cause your blood pressure to become too high when combined with this medicine. While you are taking this medicine and for 2 weeks after you stop taking it, do not eat or drink any of the following: anchovies, caviar, beef or chicken livers, wild game meat, miso soup, soy sauce, sauerkraut, yeast extracts, raspberries, figs (canned, overripe), shrimp paste, bananas, dried fruit such as raisins and prunes, avocados (especially overripe), most types of strong cheeses and yogurt, broad beans (fava, especially if overripe), ginseng herb, caffeine (including that in coffee, tea, colas, and chocolate), beer (some nonalcoholic), red wine (especially chianti), sherry, distilled spirits, liqueurs, meat extracts, or meat or fish (including dried fish, sausage, bologna, pepperoni, and salami) that is fermented, spoiled, unrefrigerated, smoked, prepared with tenderizers, or pickled.

Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.