isocarboxazid at a glance
Medicine class
Non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressant
Licensed use
Symptoms of depressive illness in adults
How it is taken
Oral tablets, taken exactly as prescribed
Important precaution
Tyramine-rich foods, alcohol and many medicines can cause serious interactions
What is isocarboxazid used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for:
Treatment of symptoms of depressive illness in adults.
How does isocarboxazid work?
Isocarboxazid blocks monoamine oxidase, which breaks down neurotransmitters including serotonin and noradrenaline. This increases their availability in the brain. Its effect is cumulative and persists after treatment stops.
isocarboxazid preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 10 mg
How to take isocarboxazid
Take the tablets by mouth exactly as prescribed. Do not stop or switch treatment without prescriber advice because MAOI effects and interactions persist after the last tablet.
Avoid alcohol, including non-alcoholic beer, lager and wine.
Avoid tyramine-rich foods such as mature cheese, yeast or meat extracts, broad bean pods, over-ripe fruit, and meat, fish or poultry that is not fresh, fermented or pickled.
Check all non-prescription medicines, herbal products and supplements with a pharmacist or prescriber.
isocarboxazid side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dizziness or faintness when standing
- Drowsiness, weakness or fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Nausea, vomiting or constipation
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty sleeping
- Palpitations
- Swollen feet or ankles
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction
- Symptoms of dangerously high blood pressure, including severe headache or chest pain
- Suicidal thoughts or marked worsening of mood
- Jaundice or other evidence of liver injury
- Unusual bruising, purple skin spots or increased susceptibility to infection
isocarboxazid in pregnancy
The product information advises against use during pregnancy, particularly during the first and last trimesters, unless there are compelling reasons. Pregnancy, planned pregnancy or becoming pregnant during treatment needs prompt prescriber or specialist review. Do not stop treatment abruptly without advice.
isocarboxazid while breastfeeding
Isocarboxazid is contraindicated during breastfeeding because it is not known whether it enters breast milk. Specialist assessment is needed to consider an alternative treatment or feeding plan without destabilising the parent’s mental health.
isocarboxazid interactions
Isocarboxazid has numerous potentially serious interactions. A pharmacist or prescriber should review all prescribed, non-prescription and complementary products.
SSRIs, SNRIs and other serotonergic antidepressants
Combining or switching without specialist planning can cause potentially fatal serotonin toxicity.
Other MAOIs and most tricyclic antidepressants
Co-administration can intensify toxicity, hypotension or serotonin-related reactions and generally must be avoided.
Pethidine and other opioid analgesics
Pethidine can cause a potentially fatal reaction; other opioids require careful specialist assessment.
Common questions about isocarboxazid
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why does isocarboxazid require food restrictions?
It prevents the normal breakdown of tyramine. A large tyramine exposure can then cause dangerously high blood pressure.
Can alcohol be consumed with isocarboxazid?
No. Avoid alcohol, including non-alcoholic beers, lagers and wines.
Can cold remedies be taken with isocarboxazid?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.