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Home > Drug Category > Antidepressant Drugs > Marplan and Equivalent

Marplan Information

Marplan (Isocarboxazid) is used to treat depression. It is also used to treat symptoms of depression that may include anxiety, panic, or phobias. Marplan can improve your mood and feelings of well-being. It can be used in persons who have not responded to treatment with other drugs. Marplan is a non-selective, irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). It blocks the monoamine oxidase enzyme, which helps increase different neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain) such as epinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, that help improve your mood and depression.

Marplan Side Effects

Common side effects of Marplan include dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, headache, weakness, problems sleeping, constipation, and dry mouth. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any serious side effects:
• Changes in sexual ability/interest;
• Fainting;
• Mental/mood changes (such as agitation, confusion);
• Muscle stiffness;
• Sensitivity to light;
• Shaking (tremor);
• Shivering;
• Swollen ankles/legs;
• Thoughts of self-harm;
• Unusual weight gain;
• Vision changes (such as double/blurred vision);
• Vision problems.

Marplan Precautions

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history, if you have or had:
• A certain kind of adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma);
• Cerebrovascular disease (such as stroke);
• Certain nervous system diseases (Parkinson's syndrome, seizures);
• Heart disease (such as heart failure, heart attack, coronary artery disease);
• High blood pressure;
• History of severe/frequent headaches;
• Kidney disease;
• Liver problems;
• Personal/family history of mental or mood disorders (such as schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder);
• Personal or family history of glaucoma (angle-closure type).

Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Do not stop taking this medication unless directed by your doctor. Do not use it during pregnancy; this medication should be used only when needed by discussing the risks and benefits with your doctor. Do not give Marplan to anyone younger than 16 years old without the advice of a doctor. Inform your doctor about the medications you are taking. When taking Marplan, you need to avoid certain foods that contain a chemical called tyramine because they may interact with Marplan and cause serious side effects. Caffeine should also not be consumed in large amounts while taking Marplan. Avoid taking additional prescription medicines or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs without first consulting with your doctor or pharmacist. Some OTC cough/cold, weight-control, hay fever/allergy, and other medicines may interact with Marplan to cause serious effects or a dangerous drug interaction could occur with the use of Marplan with:
• Appetite suppressants (such as diethylpropion);
• Apraclonidine;
• Bupropion;
• Buspirone;
• Carbamazepine;
• Certain opioid medications (such as fentanyl, methadone, tapentadol);
• Certain drugs for Parkinson's (such as entacapone, levodopa, tolcapone), street drugs (such as LSD, mescaline);
• Cyclobenzaprine;
• Deutetrabenazine;
• Dextromethorphan;
• Drugs for attention deficit disorder (such as atomoxetine, methylphenidate);
• Certain drugs for high blood pressure (such as guanethidine, methyldopa, beta-blockers such as atenolol, clonidine, and rauwolfia alkaloids);
• Metoclopramide;
• Other antidepressants (including maprotiline, mirtazapine, nefazodone, TCAs such as amitriptyline/nortriptyline);
• Other MAO inhibitors (linezolid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine);
• Stimulants (such as amphetamines, cocaine, dopamine, epinephrine, phenylalanine), tetrabenazine;
• Triptan class of migraine drugs (such as sumatriptan, rizatriptan), tramadol, tyrosine, tryptophan, and valbenazine.

Do I need a prescription to order Marplan?

Yes, a prescription is required from your physician to order Marplan.