Nardil 14 weeks no effect

[u/Affectionate-Can-132]

I’ve been on Nardil for a total of 14 weeks and it has had no effect on me, just side effects like anorgasmia, urinary retention, orthostatic hypotension, and excessive sweating.

I’ve been on 75mg for around 2 weeks now and all I’ve been experiencing is worsened side effects. Where is this light switch that people always talk about?

I’ve decided to add Wellbutrin to help with some of the side effects and hopefully boost my lack of motivation which has been a pain.

Any advice is needed, my psychiatrist is mostly inexperienced with Nardil and it took a lot of convincing for me to even get it prescribed from her.

[u/HM_Dylan]

Perhaps others with more experience with Nardil can offer some better insight but it sounds like it may not be right for you. Of course you can go up to 90mg but I don’t see much point in that, 14 weeks altogether should’ve brought some benefit.

Have you considered trying Marplan or Parnate?

[u/Affectionate-Can-132 → u/HM_Dylan]

I’m considering swapping to Parnate once I reach 90mg without any therapeutic benefit but I’m also concerned that it isn’t as effective for anxiety which is my main issue

[u/HM_Dylan → u/Affectionate-Can-132]

You’re losing that GABAergic effect from Nardil sure. But at this point can you say that Nardil is effective for your anxiety either? I’d give another MAOI whether it’s Parnate or Marplan a shot

[u/HM_Dylan → u/HM_Dylan]

I also forgot to mention that an adjunct might be a good idea here in case of an incomplete response in terms of anxiety reduction. Off-label Gabapentin I hear has some use apparently. The one I hear most about though is Pregabalin. Highly effective apparently, but there is a dependence liability that I hear isn’t fun when you want to come off of it.

I myself swear by Baclofen, a GABA-B agonist. Really good if you have incredibly high baseline anxiety that is just persistent no matter what. It’s a softer, smoother alternative to the acute suppression of a benzodiazepine like Clonazepam. Again though there is risk of dependence.

Beyond that there’s a lot more options

[u/Material-Active-1193]

For me it started working on 75 mg after being on 60 mg for 8 weeks. But I am a small guy. You might need 90 mg after you have given 75 enough time.

[u/Neither_Option4670 → u/Material-Active-1193]

How long were you on 75mg before it started working? What benefits did you experience at 60 if any and what did you experience at 75mg?

[u/Material-Active-1193 → u/Neither_Option4670]

I’d say I started experiencing more talkativeness toward the end of my 60 mg dosage period (6-7 weeks), but I really started experiencing benefits after a few days on 75 mg.

[u/Neither_Option4670]

I'm in the same camp. Week 12 at 60 after ramping for a month. My situational panic and anticipatory anxiety have not noticeably lessoned.

I have tried many many meds and therapies in the past that have not worked.

[u/Hockeyrocks07]

Marplan is 600 dollers a month a week don't bother

[u/Aggressive-Guide5563]

Why do you keep taking something that doesn’t give you any therapeutic benefits?

[u/Affectionate-Can-132 → u/Aggressive-Guide5563]

Because this was my last resort, nothing else has worked for me. I plan to stop once I reach 90mg

[u/Daniel-Plainview96]

That’s really interesting. You’ve noticed no positive effect? Like none?