Marplan
(isocarboxazid)
Helps improve your mood.
Our bottom line
Marplan (isocarboxazid) is an antidepressant that only recommended if other medications haven't worked.
- Drug class: Mental health
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Upsides
- Marplan (isocarboxazid) is a good option for depression when other medications haven't helped.
- Compared to similar medications, Marplan (isocarboxazid) has the least amount of side effects.
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What to expect from Marplan, on one page
Download Fact SheetDownsides
- You will need to avoid certain foods like cheese and aged meats while taking Marplan (isocarboxazid).
- You should avoid consuming caffeine like coffee and soda while on this medication.
- You have to take Marplan (isocarboxazid) twice a day, which can be hard to remember.
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What to expect from Marplan, on one page
Download Fact SheetMarplan (isocarboxazid) is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. It slows the breakdown of different chemicals such as epinephrine, dopamine and serotonin in your brain that help improve your mood.
- Drug class: Mental health
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- Medicine ShoppeGet free coupon$272.37
- Kroger PharmacyGet free coupon$273.17
What to expect when you take Marplan (isocarboxazid) for Depression
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Full effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
Side effect rates for Marplan (isocarboxazid)
- Dizziness28%28%14%14%
- Headache15%15%13%13%
- Dry mouth9%9%4%4%
- Constipation7%7%6%6%
- Nausea6%6%2%2%
- Nightmares5%5%
- Drowsiness4%4%
- Changes in blood pressure4%4%1%1%
- Insomnia4%4%4%4%
- Tremors4%4%
- Anxiety2%2%1%1%
- Chills2%2%
- Forgetfullness2%2%1%1%
- Hyperactivity2%2%
- Sluggishness2%2%
- Sedation2%2%1%1%
- Fainting2%2%
- Increased sweating2%2%
- Feeling of heaviness2%2%
- Racing heart rate2%2%1%1%
- Diarrhea2%2%1%1%
- Impotence2%2%
- Increased urination2%2%1%1%
- Muscle spasms2%2%
- Burning feeling in hands and feet2%2%1%1%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Marplan.
People taking Marplan felt side effect more
People taking Marplan felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Marplan (isocarboxazid)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › People under age 24
Taking Marplan (isocarboxazid) can make you more likely to harm yourself or commit suicide, especially if you are younger and during the first few weeks of taking the medicine. If you feel like you want to hurt yourself while taking Marplan (isocarboxazid), call the doctor right away.
This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.
Common concerns from people taking Marplan (isocarboxazid)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?- If you're taking medicines that can make you sleepy, like opioids or benzodiazepines, or drink more than 4 alcoholic drinks a day, talk to your doctor before you start taking Marplan (isocarboxazid). Marplan (isocarboxazid) can make you sleepier and slow your breathing down.
- Limit the amount of alcohol and caffeine you consume while taking Marplan (isocarboxazid).
- Certain foods can cause your blood pressure to go up while you're taking Marplan (isocarboxazid). This can be very dangerous if you already have high blood pressure. This includes fermented or smoked foods like cheese, alcohol, soy sauce, fish sauce, pickles and dried sausage. You'll need to limit the amount of these foods you consume. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.
- You'll have to limit certain foods in your diet while taking Marplan (isocarboxazid) because they can raise your blood pressure.
- You will need to avoid certain foods like cheese and aged meats while taking Marplan (isocarboxazid).