Sedatives & Hypnotics
MAOIs (Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine, Moclobemide)
Street names: Nardil, Parnate, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine, Moclobemide, Marplan
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- The strongest antidepressants for atypical depression — irreversible (Nardil/Parnate) or reversible (moclobemide) monoamine oxidase inhibition
⚠Key risks
- TYRAMINE CRISIS: aged cheese, cured meats, tap beer, fermented soy → hypertensive crisis (stroke-level BP) — the classic interaction
- SEROTONIN SYNDROME with SSRIs, MDMA, tramadol, dextromethorphan, St John's Wort — potentially fatal; washout rules (2 weeks for irreversibles)
- The reason 'meperidine + MAOI' is a lethal combination (searched query)
- Insomnia, weight gain, orthostasis
- Under-prescribed from fear — but real tools with real rules
✚Overdose signs
- Severe headache, BP spike (tyramine)
- Agitation, clonus, fever (serotonin)
- Consciousness changes
📋Quick facts
Also known asNardil, Parnate, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine, Moclobemide, Marplan
CategorySedatives & Hypnotics
Schedule / classRx-only — not controlled
AppearanceTablets (15 mg phenelzine, 10 mg tranylcypromine, 150–600 mg moclobemide)
Street price~$0.50–$2 per tablet
Legal statusRx-only; not controlled; heavily interaction-managed
Last updated2026-09-18
Sources: FDA, EMA, NHS
Category comparison — Sedatives & Hypnotics
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAOIs (Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine, Moclobemide) | Rx-only — not controlled | TYRAMINE CRISIS: aged cheese, cured meats, tap beer, fermented soy → hypertensive crisis (stroke-level BP) — the classic interaction; SEROTONIN SYNDROME with SSRIs, MDMA, tramadol, dextromethorphan, St John's Wort — potentially fatal; washout rules (2 weeks for irreversibles) | ~$0.50–$2 per tablet |
| St John's Wort (Hypericum) | OTC supplement — unregulated US; Rx-only Germany for depression | THE INTERACTION KING: induces CYP3A4 and P-gp — weakens oral contraceptives (pregnancies documented), HIV antiretrovirals, transplant immunosuppressants, blood thinners, chemotherapy; Serotonin syndrome with SSRIs, MDMA, tramadol | $8–$20 per bottle |
| 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) | Supplement — unregulated US/UK/EU | SEROTONIN SYNDROME when stacked with SSRIs, MDMA, tramadol, or MAOIs — the 'harmless supplement' interacts fatally with the party calendar; Heart-valve concern (chronic high-dose serotonin load, rodent signals) | $10–$25 per bottle |
| MDMA | Schedule I | Overheating + dehydration (or fatal water intoxication); Serotonin depletion — multi-day comedown | ~$10–$40 per pill |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does MAOIs (Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine, Moclobemide) look like?
Tablets (15 mg phenelzine, 10 mg tranylcypromine, 150–600 mg moclobemide)
What are the signs of a MAOIs (Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine, Moclobemide) overdose?
Severe headache, BP spike (tyramine); Agitation, clonus, fever (serotonin); Consciousness changes Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
TYRAMINE CRISIS: aged cheese, cured meats, tap beer, fermented soy → hypertensive crisis (stroke-level BP) — the classic interaction Dependence can develop with regular use.