Complain about a product or service

Pfizer - Nardil

William of Pensacola FL (05/11/08)
Dr. Raul J. prescribed the NEW Nardil to me in 2003- I knew something was wrong but didn't know what until I read about the re-formulation in 2003. Dr. J gave me NO warning or indication the nardil had been changed.He eventually terminated me & I have yet to get back to normal;I've tried Remeron,Zoloft & I'm now on Effexor xr.

I'm basically a vegetable-constant depression,loss of interest,I just want to stay in bed all day-all the classic signs plus I have severe back pain and even had a spine surgery which didn't help. I, and the doctors , can't figure out if the pain is anatomical or psychosomatic.ON THE OLD NARDIL I was HIGHLY FUNCTIONAL!

Lisa of Hickory NC (03/11/08)
I have been a pt. of NARDIL for 8 to 9 years now. The first half of those years I was put on the old NARDIL made by Lambert Warner. Now the other half of these yrs, I have been switched without knowledge to the new nardil. Ever since the change I've been on a downhill spiral. I have lost my zest for life, I'm constantly snapping at people, crying uncontrollably, my stomach stays in knots. Eating has now become a job instead of pleasure and I've NEVER experienced stress like this in my life, to the point I now have have chest pain plus headaches out of this world. All of these things have come from the change of the old NARDIL to this so called new version of NARDIL.I am terrified that if I don't get the original back SOON this new version is going to lead to an early death for me.

Physical changes, like I have already mentioned. I've gained an extreme amount of weight. I've cut myself up twice (new Nardil). My energy level is rock bottom again. Even my personal care is suffering. Can anyone out there help me or point me in the direction of someone who can and will?

Linda of Boiling Springs PA (03/06/08)
Since February '07, I have had catastrophic problems after going off of the drug Nardil, manufactured by Pfizer. I have written to them and also to the FDA with no results. I am still having nightmares as well as headaches. I feel I have very little recourse at this point. I know the drug I had been on for many years has been altered. I am now on Lexapro which has done little good. I do pray, that is my last resort.

I am unable to work to complete projects at home, in other words, to enjoy life. Nightmares and headaches continue.

Linda of Avon CO (10/28/07)
I have been on the drug Nardil for 20 years. My Bi-Polar illness has been mostly controlled by Nardil since that time. I now am on a multitude of medications but I am still having trouble getting balanced. Like others that have written I also increased my daily dosage with no apparent result.

I have been unable to handle my personal business. I can't make well thought out choices. I'm now in financial dificulty because of my inability to see things clearly or without emotion. I've been a highly functioning woman for many years. At this point my finances are in jeopardy. Had I not seen a letter regarding the problem with the current Nardil I would still be in a state of controlled panic. I have been at a place where I felt there was no hope for improvement. One letter stated that the writer was in fear of being in the early stages of altzheimers. I can't describe how fearful I have been about the same fate. I live alone and not close to family members. I've been consumed with fear about my future years. My financial losses are difficult to address while dealing with the loss of my once accute mind. In all my years of dealing with being Bi-Polar I've never contemplated suicide. As my perceived dementia increased thoughts of ending my life started to look like my only way out. Knowig that the altered Nardil is the base of my current problems doesn't change the financial situation but it does relieve my mind and gives me hope.

Charles of Lafayette IN (09/20/07)
Sept. of 03 noticed Nardil coating was changed. Didn't think anything about it until it stopped working within a few days. Pfizer game me a refund and new refill without an explaination with the Nardil I had just purchased which didn't work. Had withdraws as if I just stopped taking it. Didn't have another bad batch until April 05, then Sept. 05

Lost jobs and now on disability, medicaid due to bad Nardil. Since I'm on disability my former wife keeps me from seeing my wonderful daughter. Pfizer is costing the taxpayer and many users are severly suffering and can't even complain!

Josephine of Staten Island NY (09/09/07)
I used to always take Nardil with Synthroid. Nardil changed the formulation of the pill and now I can't seem to handle it or even wean off of Nardil. Now when I take both I get severe tremors, jitters, nervousness, shortness of breath. My Synthroid supposed to be increased but can't due to the new Nardil.

I am homebound. I can't go out. I get I get severe tremors, jitters, nervousness, shortness of breath. I stay in bed all day and night. I don't drive anymore. My car sits outside rotting away. I can't clean house or cook for myself. I can move around a little. My doctors are not helping me. They forget it's the new Nardil and not the old one.

Josephine of Staten Island NY (08/20/07)
I am having alot of difficulties adjusting my Synthroid meds while being on the new Nardil. When I was on the old Nardil I never had trouble. I get alot of tremors and bad hypoglycemic symptoms and my blood reads pretty normal. My TSH still reads high but when I increase the Synthroid my body can't tolerate it. Couple of years ago I was told to lower the Nardil and I did and it actually helped me be able to increase the Synthroid. I need to go one more dose up on Synthroid and can't because of the severe symptoms and have to stay where I am witb my TSH being little high.

I am also back to being agoraphobic too and homebound again. I am afraid to leave my house. On the old Nardil of 18 years, I was able to go out but on new Nardil, I can't. I notice I can't take any meds that are stimulants which Synthroid is and also Prednisone I couldn't tolerate to treat my asthma last month.

I get severe symptoms of tremors, shaky, bugging out feeling in my body, have to race to fridge to gulp down 1/2 gallon of milk to stop it. My multivitamins actually stop the tremors to from Synthroid and nardil. I can't understand how. I never had problem wtih Synthroid and Nardil together till Nardil went and changed their formulation. None of my doctors are helping me or listening. They think I am nuts. All they tell me, what can I tell you. I hate that line. I don't know what to do. Few months ago was a dose up from Synthroid for about 4 months and I started to get racing heart at night in bed. Now on lower dose I get tremor in the morning but the racing heart reduced alot. I forgot to mention that. I know my story here is very confusing and jumping all of the place but I can explain it better on phone. I can't live like this anymore. I need help. I was thinking of getting off the Nardil but it's scary. I tried on the first day but it made me have to take it. The old Nardil was easier to wean off, not the new one. Now what do I do?

bad tremors, nervousness, dizziness, agorapobic, fears, anxiety, homebound again, depressed from these symptoms,

Janet of Thomson IL (07/31/07)
I take the MAOI, called Nardil, and have for 15 years. About 3 years they changed for formula and now I'm noticing that it is not working as well. I feel more panic, more emtional, more sleepless. Since they refornulated Nardil I have never felt as good as I did on the old Nardil. Why can't we be given a choice, either the old Nardil or the New Nardil, the old worked much better.

Debra of Euclid OH (04/19/07)
Nardil an MAOI produced by Pfizer is often prescribed as a drug of last resort for people with severe depression/anxiety. For 35 years this drug has been life saving for thousands of people.

In 2003, Pfizer reformulated this drug. Users of 20, 25, and 30+ years immediately noticed the drugs effectiveness had changed significantly. Many users were hospitalized, lost jobs and went through traumatic months before learning of the change. Contacting both Pfizer and the FDA were fruitless, however users who reached Pfizer internal pharmacists were told that it was well know that the reformulation was crap.?

On top of the general loss of effectiveness caused by the reformulation, Pfizer has also produced many bad lots of the already problematic drug. In addition to the suffering users endured by the reformulation, there is always the possibility of obtaining a bad lot? which again hits out of the blue causing traumatic stress, depression and anxiety.

People who have been living productive, happy lives for years are now trying to cope day to day by continuing to use Nardil, trying other drugs (most have taken everything available prior to Nardil!) and living in their own hell. Both the FDA and Pfizer were contacted by numerous individuals as well as a group representing a constituency of Nardil users and nothing has been done.

It is fairly clear that Pfizer is only in this drug for the money, and because the drug does not seem to directly KILL the user the FDA has no interest. Reading the thousands of complaints on the Nardil message board about this medication, how can its efficacy not be if interest to the FDA or Pfizer. Ruining such a huge number of lives is trivial for a large drug company who is now making the drug in France as cheaply as possible. And with another bad lot of the drug out (Nardil Lot # #6085002) which has motivated me to write to someone AGAIN I know no one cares.

I am extremely anxious about taking a real job for fear I could not perform. The old Nardil that was not at all the case. Depression,Anxiety have returned and in addition 40 lb weight gain and loss of personality. Feeling of depersonalization. QUALITY of Life has been extremely diminished.

Mike of Tempe AZ (09/03/06)
In 1985 I was diagnosed as having major depression. My doctor began trying all sorts of antidepressants and by 1987 I had taken nearly every antidepressant available without positive results. Most doctors will not prescribe Nardil so I was referred to a doctor who did. Shortly after beginning Nardil therapy I began to feel good again. It was amazing how good I began to feel in such a short time. Nardil was like a wonder drug for me and I continued to take it until 2005.

My depression returned in September of 2003. Pfizer did not publicize their change to the composition of Nardil so neither my doctor nor myself had any idea what had gone wrong. My doctor was convinced that it was my depression returning but since I was experiencing many strange physical effects I believed that the problem lied elswhere. From September 2003 until early 2005 my doctor tried adjusting my dose in hopes of achieving positive results. This did not happen!

I had not learned about the Pfizer change to Nardil until early 2005. I presented my doctor with a letter from Pfizer which stated that they did change Nardil. My doctor could not believe that he was not notified by Pfizer but based on the information he had, in hand, he stated that there was little he could do to help me other than Electro-Convulsive-Therapy. This was the last thing I wanted but I agreed because of my loss of hope.

I was hospitalized in June of 2005 to be withdrawn from Nardil and to begin ECT treatments. I stopped Nardil abruptly and experienced no withdrawall symptoms. My mood improved and seven days later I was discharged without having to go through ECT. A week later my symptoms returned and now I am back to the depressed person I was when I checked into the hospital.

After reading numorous accounts, on various web sites, written by people in my position, I believe the change to Nardil has caused the decline of my lifestyle and the increase in my depression.

In September of 2003 Pfizer changed the chemical composition of Nardil. On September 23rd, 2003 I became unfit to continue my work as a Mechanical Instrument Maker at Arizona State University. At first I was on Short Term Dissability and had hopes of returning to my job. My condition did not improve so I was later placed on Long Term Dissability. At that time I still had hopes of returning to work.

In 2004 I was accepted into the SSDI program without appeal. I felt doomed as the result of this action and I was forced to quit my job. I am now considered Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI) and the odds of my getting a job, even sweeping floors, are slim. Te quality of care I receive is minamal.

Since September of 2003 my mental condition has steadily gone down hill. I am now a ward of the state and I firmly believe my present condition was caused by the direct result of the Pfizer change to Nardil. I took the old Nardil for nearly 18 years and I was on top of the world. Since 2003, when Pfizer changed Nardi, I feel that I have been at the bottom of the food chain. I have been left without Hope and believe that my life will be cut short as the result of Pfizers change to Nardil.

Charles of Marion IN (08/02/06)
Nardil was re-formulated sometime in 2003. It is the only medication to work for my Atypical Depression, Social Phobia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Dysthemia. It stopped working in Sept. 03 as if I were taking a placebo. After trying it again at a later date, I would have one lot# work ok and with the next refill and different lot# it would not work at all. I would then have all my mental problems return along with Nardil withdraw symptoms.

Lost job, apartment, unable to work, living in a group home after being hospitalized in a mental hospital, thousands in medical bills and I can't find a substitute to the Nardil which was being produced prior to 2003 because one doesn't exist. No problems with Nardil prior to Sept. 03 and had taken the medication since 1993.

Dena of Anderson SC (10/15/05)
I have been taking nardil(an MAO inhibitor for depression)since 1980.It worked relatively well until the company that maufactures it (Pfizer)started changing ingredients.Since I started getting the new form of the medication,it's efficiency has drastically declined.Pfizer claims the only changes made were with inert ingredients.Either someone has misinformed the public or there is a major reaction going on between there INERT ingedient and other key ingredients in the chemical make-up of the nardil.I as a citizen deserve a better explanation!I want the original formula back!PLEASE HELP!

I have suffered severe depression as a result of Pfizer changing the formula

Debbie of Elko NV (04/13/05)
I would like to share with you exactly what I have gone through since Pfizer Pharmaceuticals obtained distribution of Nardil, from Parke Davis, and re-formulated a prescription for depression I have taken since 1988.

In November of 2003, I noticed when I picked up my prescription of Nardil, it's appearance was obviously different from the original Nardil I had been taking for 15 years. My pharmacist told me it was still the same medication. For quite some time I noticed changes in my moods, and even mentioned to my spouse that the New Nardil seemed different. In January of 2004, my spouse had to rush me to the hospital due to an extreme rise in my blood pressure.

I experienced such severe head pain which felt as though someone had hit me on the head with a sledge hammer. Because Nardil is a MAO Inhibitor, we must follow certain food restrictions, and non-prescription as well as prescription medications. In the event the restrictions aren't followed, what I experienced in elevated blood pressure, is a very dangerous side effect. Since I always take Nardil first thing in the morning, and not eaten anything, yet within 1/2 hour later, I was on my way to the hospital where I was medicated and observed for several hours until my blood pressure returned to normal. This is the first incident where I felt quite sure the New Nardil was different.

Soon after the above incident I suddenly became (severely depressed, constant anxiety, inability to leave home unless necessary, constant insomnia and social anxiety. I live in Elko, Nevada where we have limited supply of physicians, especially specialty physicians. I went to my Primary Care Physician. I was told I could increase my dose of Nardil up to 6 tablets per day, safely. In addition I was put on 4 - 50 mg. tablets of Xanax per day to help with anxiety. She advised me to see a Psychiatrist, as she was not experienced in this issue. There are no Psychiatrists in Elko. I the meantime my spouse has had to take time off work to drive me to Salt Lake City (500 miles round trip), every month.

Both my Psychiatrist and Primary Care Physician believe my issues are the result of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals re-formulation of Nardil, being a sub-standard generic form of the original Nardil. I have still not recovered from the effects of New Nardil, however the Psychiatrist is taking a very slow path to find medication that will bring me back to a normal state of mind. In order to attempt this transformation, I am now taking 5 New Nardil per day (up from 4 per day). He has added 3 new prescriptions in addition to the Nardil. Because I also have Multiple Sclerosis, I now take 13 pills per day, and a self-injection of Rebif (for Multiple Sclerosis).

I have filed reports with the FDA, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, and Med Watch. The replies I have received are standard form letters.

After searching the interment, I have found an extremely large amount of men and women who are having similar and precisely the same conditions I've been experiencing with the New Nardil. As I stated earlier THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE, and not one to be ignored.

Judith of Rapid City SD (02/21/05)
I have been taking Nardil for over 20 years. Yesterday when I went to Walgreens to get a refill they told me it has be discontinued. I can't find anything on Pfizer's Internet site about Nardil being discontinued. What do I do? How do I find out what is happening? If they have truly discontinued this product - how can they get away with not notifying all the patients that depend on this medication?

Cathy of Louisville KY (01/26/05)
After multiple written complaints and verbal complaints in regard to Nardil; they still state the drug is made to equivalency and tested before distribution. I got a subpotent recalled bottle of Nardil in 8/03; it took nine months of hell to get thru the side effects of the new Nardil since Pfizer change the formula. I got another bad bottle of the New Nardil in 11/04 but I knew it after 4 days. They are causing people to have total breakdowns because they changed the formulation.

Total disability for over one year. Unable to care for myself or even go out of the house to purchase food. Parent had to care for me.

Mike of Tempe AZ (11/23/04)
I have been taking Nardil brand MAOI since 1986. It was the best and the only meication that would work for me. When it became reformulated by Pfizer/ Parke Davis in the fall of 2003 I became severley depressed, I lost my job because of my inability to work and have been on full disability ever since.

As the result of Pfizers decision to reformulate Nardil, I have become depressed beyond belief, suffer from anxiety along with having ocasional suicidal thoughts. I lost my job, and my life as I knew it.I have no desire to participte in anything and only leave my home for survival goods. This too is becoming more difficult.

Louise of Surveyor WV (10/28/04)
Pfizer changed its Nardil formula and sent it to France where the USA FDA cant monitor it. Ive taken this drug for more than 20 yrs because it is the only one that worked for me. You have to take a higher dosage and add valium for nightmares at night.

Depression I went to bed and could not get up. My Nardil had to be increased from 15mg 2 times a day to 2tablets at 10:00am and 1 tablet at 5pm to get me back up. Yesterday I started having leg tremors. I never had leg tremors in my life. I cant drive because of them. The taste is sickening. Im having trouble eating because of the nausea. This nardil actually makes you sick. There are nightmared every night where I hit my window to get out and scream so loud from fright my neighbor hears me. I thought I was losing my mind..I cant remember words or complete sentences with this new Nardil. My insides shake. This is just an awful awful medicine.

Marjorie of Torrington CT (07/14/04)
Problems with the newly reformulated Nardil. Depression symptoms, headaches, memory issues, crying jags, nausea, and increased appetite.

Time lost from work. Time lost for personal enjoyment of life: priceless

Debra of Elko NV (07/09/04)
Pfizer changed re-formulated Nardil (MAO Inhibitor). This past fall when I picked up my prescription for Nardil, I noticed the appearance of the pill had changed from an orange glossy finish to an orange matte finish. The pharmacist assured me that the medication was the same and that it was indeed Nardil.

I have taken Nardil since 1988 (16 years), and after a month of using the new Nardil, I noticed changes in my mood. I started feeling depressed, anxious, unable to sleep at night, bouts of crying for no reason. I mentioned to my spouse at the time the Nardil seemed different. I have continued to slip further into depression, anxiety, and sleeplessness.

I have read where others have experienced the same differences, and I have also read that Nardil was re-fomulated when Pfizer started dispensing it. I also understand that the old Nardil had 15 incipients, while the new Nardil has 9 incipients (only (3) of the original incipients remain in the new Nardil). Pfizer has not only ruined a perfectly effective formula, for those of us who are very limited on what type of antidepressant works for us, and Pfizer changing the formulation of Nardil has ruined my life. I have Multiple Sclerosis in addition to suicidal depression. I am very upset to have to deal with my mental state of mind while also dealing with the daily trials and pain of Multiple Sclerosis.

Charles of Indianapolis IN (05/28/04)
I have been taking Nardil since 1993 and is the only medication that will work for my Atypical Depression, Social Anxiety Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I had tried all the SSRI's which did not help. Finally I started on 30mg of Nardil TID and it was like magic. All my symptoms disappeared and I felt like my old self for the first time in many years. In September of 03 I began taking Nardil which looked different, but I though it would work the same. After about a week I had all the classic Nardil withdrawal symptoms and felt just as if I were taking a placebo. I contacted Pfizer and they gave me a refund for my Nardil prescription and then asked my doctor why he was prescibing something that doesn't work. I was just amazed they could say this. I told them clearly their new reformulated Nardil does not work and I made this very clear. I honestly believe they are covering up the fact that they changed how it is made and never tested it.

George of Albany NY (05/09/04)
In November, Pfizer changed the coating of the drug NARDIL. I have become depressed to the point of near incapacitated. I have talked to my Doctor and a Behavioral Health Therapist about the fact that the new version of NARDIL does not work.

I have heart palpitations, feeling of dread, terrible nightmares, and depression so bad that I am considering hospitalization.

I recently did a web search and found out that many others have reported to Pfizer the same conclusion. I have been on this drug for the most part of the past 17+ years. This is horrific, and I want help and assistance before it is too late. My family needs me and my income so my children can go to college and we can maintain a home.

Horrible nightmares, deep depression, feelings on unreality, frequent urination, heart palpitations, extreme fear, anxiety, panic, lack of sleep. Feeling of dread. Loss of interest in things. On the verge of not being able to work.

Judy of Fairfax Station VA (04/02/04)
This is a follow-up letter to say thank you for printing the info about Nardil. We are hopeful, that if we get enough publicity, an attorney will take our case, either as individual or as a class action suit. Thanks again for printing the letters.

Don't know all the names of patients, but some have been hospitalized for being suicidal, some have had severe side effects from the drug, many have gone into severe depressions, one lady, had to drop out of college, because of depression, another had to quit her job, many, many patients went into severe depressions, as they changed from the old nardil to the new nardil,some have been bedridden because of depression. Many patients have doubled the dosage to try and get some positive effects from the drug, which is a dangerous thing to do. Patients that have done this ( including myself) have had increased dizziness, diarrhea, tremors in the extremities, bad nightmares, urinary retention, requiring the use of a catheter,panic attacks, inability to be around people socially., and other symptoms. We are definitely going to get involved with a lawsuit, because of what Pfizer has done. If anyone can help us with this, please contact.

Catherine of Goldens Bridge NY (03/03/04)
I have been taking the medication NARDIL since 1988 for severe panic disorder and depression. When I picked up my prescription in November 2003 I noticed that the pill looked different ( coating was different, color a different shade ) so I wanting to make sure that I had the right medication I asked the pharmacist why the pill was different. He informed me that NARDIL was now being manufactured by Pfizer.

Within one week after starting this new prescription I began experiencing panic attacks, depression, crying continually, memory lapses, disacciation and depersonalization episodes. I was convinced that I was in the beginning stages of Alzheimers or some form of dementia and went my neurologist. After examining me he told me that I was fine and he felt that the symptoms I was experiencing were medication related. My psychiatrist who prescribes the NARDIL was out of town and I had another week before my appointment.

So I went on the internet and found the website THE ANXIETY COMMUNITY - TREATMENT - MEDICATION:NARDIL. I was both happy and furious. All of these other people were going through the same as me. I found out that Pfizer had changed the formulation of the medication and had not advised pharmacies or physicians nor had they updated the literature which includes side effects ( which now included many more ). When I brought all of the literature to my doctor the following week he was outraged and by this time I was in such bad shape that I had to be hospitalized. I am off the NARDIL and have started a different medication but I still have episodes from time to time. Pfizer put me and so many others through emotional and physical hell but why should they care since NARDIL is not a big seller like Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, etc. I lost four months of my life, my holidays were ruined since I had no motivation and was continually crying and Pfizer should be held accountable for what it has done to all of the people whose lives have been affected.

Victoria of Wyoming MI (03/02/04)
In late 2003, Pfizer Parke-Davis has altered the supposed 'inert' ingredients for their anti-depressant NARDIL (phenelzine sulfate) which treats generalized anxiety/depression, BUT only applied to the FDA for a 'labeling change' without doing any further testing on the new version. Apparently, the FDA says this is okay, because they allow it for the production of 'generics.' HOWEVER - with generics, the original drug is always still available, and in this case, it is NOT. The NEW VERSION is not working for many, as I have discovered in an online community struggling with same.

While Pfizer may have the legal right to do this, I believe they have acted in an irresponsible manner towards their consumer base who depends on the original (now non-existent) drug for a comfortable existence. They have, in essence, replaced their original drug with a 'generic,' without informing the consumer, the physician nor the pharmacist, while misleading the FDA by simply applying for a 'labeling change.' (which was approved. This drug is not working in the efficent manner in which it had prior to the alterations made; it is metabolizing differently and is causing many NARDIL users to suffer the results of the ingredient alterations; new side effects for which there was no clinical trial, and an overall lessening of the effectiveness of the drug.

Further, while Pfizer is busy fighting Canadian Drug companies who attempt to see to US citizens, complaining that the FDA cannot regulate same, they are manufacturing THIS drug (Nardil) in FRANCE, over which country the FDA has no control!!!! It is entirely inappropriate for a company to offer a drug to the public for many years (since 1959, I believe) that addresses symptoms effectively, only to alter it in a way that has proven to be inadequate. The sticking point is that ONCE OFFERED, it is irresponsible to the point of disregard for human life and quality of life to REMOVE SAID MEDICATION from the market by altering it without running adequate tests. Their ONLY REASON for said alterations, according to Pfizer, is 'to prolong shelf life.'

Physical damage ranges from physical and emotional discomfort to a complete return of the symptoms that the drug is supposed to address. The consequences for many are potentially life-threatening - if an anti-depressant does not perform to capacity, those who experience a return of symptoms may well resort to self-damaging behaviour. Since anxiety is a part of what this medication addresses, and it has been caused to recur in many consumers, one might forsee that possible death could result from such alterations and lack of effectiveness. As it stands, many have had to increase their dosages beyond adviseable limits in order for the drug to work; this can also result in incapacity up to and including death. New side effects including the horrific taste of the new coating (which dissolves instantly, while the original was hard-shell coating) and accompanying nausea, increased urinary retention, vomiting, general malaise, increased appetite beyond the original drug, flatulance, fetid diarrhoea and recurrence of both anxiety and depression are some personal and reported issues (online communications with others suffering from the 'new' formulation.)

Judy of Fairfax Station VA (3/4/04):
This complaint is regarding a medication, Nardil, that Pfizer reformulated and then called it a labeling change. Last Oct.-Nov., I and many other patients went to their pharmacies to pick up their Nardil medication, only to find out that the medicine had been adjusted in some way. It smelled different, looked different, and none of the pharmacists, or physicians had been notified of the change.

Many patients started to get depressed on the new Nardil, and had no clue why it was happening, the physicians were not certain what they were dealing with either. I, myself, went into a severe depression for a month, as did many, many other patients. Finally, my psychiatrist suggested increasing the dosage because he had no other ideas what to do. The dosage was raised from 75 mg., to 135 mg., which is a high dosage. The maximum recommended dosage is 90 mg.

I had all kinds of side effects, tremors, legs shaking, bad nightmares, etc. So, the dosage was decreased to 120 mg., and that is the dose I am on today.

Many patients are having horrible problems with this new Nardil. As far as I know, there were no clinical trials, they just changed the medication, called it a labeling change, and then sent it out to all these unsuspecting patients.

Some are severely depressed, suicidal, panicky, etc. because these patients have been through many other anti-depressants (which were not effective) and Nardil is the only drug that really works for them. And then Pfizer decides to change the excipients in the medication, and send the Nardil over to France to be manufactured, where I am assuming the FDA cannot monitor the manufacture of the drug, etc.

I am not a professional in the medical field, but I have taken this medicine for 22 year, and I know how it works, the side effects, how quickly it works when it's doing what it's supposed to, etc. And this new Nardil is working no more than 60-70% as well as the old Nardil. That is why I am having to double the dose, which also exposes me to more severe side effects, and of course, it is more expensive, because I have to take more for it to work.

I am speaking for myself, but I am also speaking for others who are too sick or too discouraged to write. One more thing, when the new Nardil was put into the pharmacies last fall, patients were calling pharmacies, calling Pfizer, calling anyone they could think of to try and buy the old Nardil. Calls were made to Australia, Canada, England, Mexico, because that is how frantic these patients were, at having to take an unfamiliar drug, that their doctor knew nothing about, etc.

Patients are writing their Congressmen, Senators, Pfizer, FDA, contacting lawyers, to see if there could be a lawsuit that would force Pfizer to make the old Nardil. There are patients now, openly talking about suicide.

Catherine of Goldens Bridge NY (3/3/04):
I have been taking the medication NARDIL since 1988 for severe panic disorder and depression. When I picked up my prescription in November 2003 I noticed that the pill looked different (coating was different, color a different shade) so I, wanting to make sure that I had the right medication, asked the pharmacist why the pill was different. He informed me that NARDIL was now being manufactured by Pfizer in France.

Within one week after starting this new prescription I began experiencing panic attacks, depression, crying continually, memory lapses, disassociation and depersonalization episodes. I was convinced that I was in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's or some form of dementia and went to my neurologist. After examining me he told me that I was fine and he felt that the symptoms I was experiencing were medication-related.

My psychiatrist who prescribes the NARDIL was out of town and I had another week before my appointment. So I went on the internet and found all of these other people were going through the same as me. I found out that Pfizer had changed the formulation of the medication and had not advised pharmacies or physicians nor had they updated the literature.

When I brought all of the literature to my doctor the following week he was outraged and by this time I was in such bad shape that I had to be hospitalized. I am off the NARDIL and have started a different medication but I still have episodes from time to time. Pfizer put me and so many others through emotional and physical hell but why should they care since NARDIL is not a big seller like Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, etc. I lost four months of my life, my holidays were ruined since I had no motivation and was continually crying and Pfizer should be held accountable for what it has done to all of the people whose lives have been affected.

Victoria of Wyoming MI (3/2/04):
Pfizer has altered the supposed 'inert' ingredients for their anti-depressant NARDIL (phenelzine sulfate) which treats generalized anxiety/depression, BUT only applied to the FDA for a 'labeling change' without doing any further testing on the new version. Apparently, the FDA says this is okay, because they allow it for the production of 'generics.' HOWEVER - with generics, the original drug is always still available, and in this case, it is NOT. The NEW VERSION is not working for many.

While Pfizer may have the legal right to do this, I believe they have acted in an irresponsible manner towards their consumer base who depends on the original (now non-existent) drug for a comfortable existence. They have, in essence, replaced their original drug with a 'generic,' without informing the consumer, the physician or the pharmacist, while misleading the FDA by simply applying for a 'labeling change.' (which was approved.

This drug is not working in the efficent manner it had prior to the alterations; it is metabolizing differently and is causing many NARDIL users to suffer the results of the ingredient alterations; new side effects for which there was no clinical trial, and an overall lessening of the effectiveness of the drug. Further, while Pfizer is busy fighting Canadian Drug companies who attempt to see to US citizens, complaining that the FDA cannot regulate same, they are manufacturing THIS drug (Nardil) in FRANCE, over which country the FDA has no control!

It is entirely inappropriate for a company to offer a drug to the public for many years (since 1959, I believe) that addresses symptoms effectively, only to alter it in a way that has proven to be inadequate. The sticking point is that ONCE OFFERED, it is irresponsible to the point of disregard for human life and quality of life to REMOVE SAID MEDICATION from the market by altering it without running adequate tests. Their ONLY REASON for said alterations, according to Pfizer, is 'to prolong shelf life.'

Physical damage ranges from physical and emotional discomfort to a complete return of the symptoms that the drug is supposed to address. The consequences for many are potentially life-threatening - if an anti-depressant does not perform to capacity, those who experience a return of symptoms may well resort to self-damaging behaviour. Since anxiety is a part of what this medication addresses, and it has been caused to recur in many consumers, one might forsee that possible death could result from such alterations and lack of effectiveness.

As it stands, many have had to increase their dosages beyond adviseable limits in order for the drug to work; this can also result in incapacity up to and including death. New side effects including the horrific taste of the new coating (which dissolves instantly, while the original was hard-shell coating) and accompanying nausea, increased urinary retention, vomiting, general malaise, increased appetite beyond the original drug, flatulance, fetid diarrhoea and recurrence of both anxiety and depression are some personal and reported issues (online communications with others suffering from the 'new' formulation.)

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