What Is Isocarboxazid Used For?

Some people may wonder, "What is isocarboxazid used for?" Isocarboxazid is used to treat depression in people who are at least 16 years old. In order to use isocarboxazid safely, people must commit to following a strict diet and avoid many medications in order to avoid many dangerous food and drug interactions. There are also several off-label uses of isocarboxazid, such as treating anxiety, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

Isocarboxazid (Marplan)

What Is Isocarboxazid Used For?

Isocarboxazid (Marplan^®) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of depression (also known as major depression or clinical depression).

Depression is more than just "feeling sad." Common symptoms of depression include:

Changes in sleep (sleeping too much or not enough)
Eating too much or too little (and weight gain or weight loss)
Having little interest in things that you used to enjoy
Physical pain
Feeling hopeless or worthless
Suicidal thoughts.

Isocarboxazid has been proven in large clinical trials to help adults with depression. However, due to many potentially lethal food and drug interactions, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (including isocarboxazid) are usually used as a last resort to treat severe depression. In order to use this medication safely, you must commit to following a strict diet (see Marplan Food Interactions) and to avoid many (if not most) medications, including over-the-counter products (see Drug Interactions With Isocarboxazid).

Counseling and therapy (see Psychotherapy for Depression) are often used along with antidepressants to treat depression. Ask your healthcare provider if counseling or therapy would be good options for you (see Depression Treatment).

(What Is Isocarboxazid Used For? Continued: Page 2)