Description

Isocarboxazid (brand name Marplan) is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) used to treat depression. Common side effects include dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, and sleep problems (e.g., insomnia). Serious risks include severe high blood pressure, liver damage, and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts.

Common Side Effects

These usually occur when starting the medication and may improve with time or a dosage adjustment:

Dizziness or lightheadedness (especially when standing up quickly)
Dry mouth
Constipation
Sleep disturbances (insomnia or excessive daytime sleepiness)
Headache
Mild nausea

Severe Side Effects & Medical Emergencies

If you experience any of the following, seek immediate medical attention:

Hypertensive Crisis: A sudden, severe headache, chest pain, sweating, stiff neck, and a fast or pounding heartbeat. This can be triggered by eating tyramine-rich foods (e.g., aged cheeses, cured meats, tap beers) or taking certain decongestants/stimulants.
Liver Injury: Symptoms include yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, pale stools, and upper right stomach pain.
Serotonin Syndrome: Agitation, confusion, fever, muscle stiffness or twitching, and rapid heart rate, especially if combined with other antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs) or pain medications.
Severe Orthostatic Hypotension: Fainting or extreme dizziness when changing positions.
Suicidal Thoughts: New or worsening depression, or any thoughts of self-harm, particularly in young adults.

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of isocarboxazid in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of isocarboxazid in geriatric patients. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving isocarboxazid.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Albuterol Sulfate
Alfentanil
Alprazolam
Amineptine
Amitriptyline
Amitriptylinoxide
Amobarbital
Amoxapine
Amphetamine
Anileridine
Apraclonidine
Apraclonidine Hydrochloride
Aprobarbital
Arformoterol Tartrate
Aripiprazole
Aripiprazole Lauroxil
Armodafinil
Asenapine
Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine Hydrochloride
Baclofen
Barbital
Bemetizide
Bendroflumethiazide
Benperidol
Benzhydrocodone
Benzphetamine
Benzthiazide
Brimonidine
Brimonidine Tartrate
Bromazepam
Bupivacaine
Bupivacaine Hydrochloride
Bupivacaine Liposome
Buprenorphine
Bupropion
Buspirone
Butabarbital
Butalbital
Butorphanol

Important Precautions

Dietary & Medication Restrictions: You must strictly avoid tyramine-containing foods and certain over-the-counter or prescription medications while taking isocarboxazid and for 2 weeks after stopping it.
Surgery: Always inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking this MAOI before any dental or surgical procedures.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Consult your doctor regarding the risks if you are pregnant, planning to conceive, or nursing.

For a comprehensive breakdown of isocarboxazid safety guidelines, you can read the Isocarboxazid Side Effects guide or review the detailed Isocarboxazid (Marplan): Uses & Side Effects provided by the Cleveland Clinic.

Dosage	10 Mg
Quantity	any
Brand	Isocarboxazid

Isocarboxazid

Description

Common Side Effects

Severe Side Effects & Medical Emergencies