Phenelzine

Phenelzine
Names
Trade namesNardil
IUPAC name
  • 2-phenylethylhydrazine
Clinical data
Drug classMonoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)[1]
Main usesDepression, bulimia[1]
Side effectsDizziness, headache, trouble sleeping, twitching, dry mouth, weight gain, sexual dysfunction[1]
WHO AWaReUnlinkedWikibase error: ⧼unlinkedwikibase-error-statements-entity-not-set⧽
Pregnancy
category
  • AU: B3[2]
  • US: N (Not classified yet)[2]
    Routes of
    use    		By mouth
    Onset of actionUp to 4 wks[3]
    Typical dose15 mg TID[3]
    External links
    AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
    MedlinePlusa682089
    Legal
    License data
    Legal status
    • AU: S4 (Prescription only)
    • US: ℞-only
    • In general: ℞ (Prescription only)
    Pharmacokinetics
    MetabolismLiver
    Elimination half-life11.6 hours
    ExcretionUrine
    Chemical and physical data
    FormulaC8H12N2
    Molar mass136.198 g·mol−1
    3D model (JSmol)
    Boiling point74 °C (165 °F)
    SMILES
    • N(N)CCc1ccccc1
    InChI
    • InChI=1S/C8H12N2/c9-10-7-6-8-4-2-1-3-5-8/h1-5,10H,6-7,9H2 checkY
    • Key:RMUCZJUITONUFY-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY

    Phenelzine, sold under the brand name Nardil among others, is a medication used to treat depression and bulimia.[1] It is taken by mouth.[1] Benefits can take up to 4 weeks to occur.[3]

    Common side effects include dizziness, headache, trouble sleeping, twitching, dry mouth, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction.[1] Other side effects may include suicide, bipolar, and high blood pressure.[1] Use is not recommended in people with kidney or liver problems.[1] It is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) made from hydrazine.[1]

    Phenelzine was approved for medical use in the United States in 1961.[1] In the United States 60 tablets of 15 mg costs about 45 USD as of 2021.[4] In the United Kingdom it is only available by special order.[3]

    Medical uses

    Phenelzine is used primarily to treat major depressive disorder (MDD). Patients with depressive symptomology characterized as "atypical", "nonendogenous", and/or "neurotic" respond particularly well to phenelzine.[5] The medication is also useful in patients who do not respond favorably to first and second-line treatments for depression, or are "treatment-resistant".[6] In addition to being a recognized treatment for major depressive disorder, phenelzine is effective in treating dysthymia,[7] bipolar depression (BD),[8] panic disorder (PD),[9] social anxiety disorder,[10] bulimia,[11] post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),[12] and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).[13][14]

    Dosage

    It is started at a dose of 15 mg three times per day.[3] This may be increased up to 30 mg three times per day or decreased to 15 mg every two days depending on response.[3]

    Side effects

    Common side effects of phenelzine may include dizziness, blurry vision, dry mouth, headache, lethargy, sedation, somnolence, insomnia, anorexia, weight gain or loss, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, urinary retention, mydriasis, muscle tremors, hyperthermia, sweating, hypertension or hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, paresthesia, hepatitis, and sexual dysfunction (consisting of loss of libido and anorgasmia). Rare side effects usually only seen in susceptible individuals may include hypomania or mania, psychosis and acute liver failure, the last of which is usually only seen in people with pre-existing liver damage, old age, long-term effects of alcohol consumption, or viral infection.[15]

    Interactions

    See also: Monoamine oxidase inhibitor § Dangers
    See also: Foods containing tyramine

    The MAOIs have certain dietary restrictions and drug interactions. The amount of such restrictions and interactions is far less than previously thought, and MAOIs are generally safe medications when administered correctly.[16][17] Hypertensive crisis is generally a rare occurrence while taking MAOIs,[18] yet may result from the overconsumption of tyramine-containing foods. As a result, patients on phenelzine and other MAOIs must avoid excess quantities of certain foods that contain tyramine such as aged cheeses and cured meats, among others. Serotonin syndrome may result from an interaction with certain drugs which increase serotonin activity such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin releasing agents, and serotonin agonists. Several deaths have been reported due to drug interaction-related serotonin syndrome such as the case of Libby Zion.

    As is the case with other MAOIs, there is a concern regarding phenelzine and the use of both local and general anesthetics. Anyone taking phenelzine should inform their dentist before proceeding with dental surgery, and surgeon in any other contexts.

    Phenelzine has also been linked to vitamin B6 deficiency.[19] Transaminases such as GABA-transaminase have been shown to be dependent upon vitamin B6[20] and may be involved in a potentially related process, since the phenelzine metabolite phenylethylidenehydrazine (PEH) is a GABA transaminase inhibitor. Both phenelzine and vitamin B6 are rendered inactive upon these reactions occurring. For this reason, it may be recommended to supplement with vitamin B6 while taking phenelzine. The pyridoxine form of B6 is recommended for supplementation, since this form has been shown to reduce hydrazine toxicity from phenelzine and, in contrast, the pyridoxal form has been shown to increase the toxicity of hydrazines.[21]

    Pharmacology

    Pharmacodynamics

    Phenelzine is a non-selective and irreversible inhibitor of the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO). It inhibits both of the respective isoforms of MAO, MAO-A and MAO-B, and does so almost equally, with slight preference for the former. By inhibiting MAO, phenelzine prevents the breakdown of the monoamine neurotransmitters serotonin, melatonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine, as well as the trace amine neuromodulators such as phenethylamine, tyramine, octopamine, and tryptamine. This leads to an increase in the extracellular concentrations of these neurochemicals and therefore an alteration in neurochemistry and neurotransmission. This action is thought to be the primary mediator in phenelzine's therapeutic benefits.

    Phenelzine and its metabolites also inhibit at least two other enzymes to a lesser extent, of which are alanine transaminase (ALA-T),[22] and γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T),[23] the latter of which is not caused by phenelzine itself, but by a phenelzine metabolite phenylethylidenehydrazine (PEH). By inhibiting ALA-T and GABA-T, phenelzine causes an increase in the alanine and GABA levels in the brain and body. GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system, and is very important for the normal suppression of anxiety, stress, and depression. Phenelzine's action in increasing GABA concentrations may significantly contribute to its antidepressant, and especially, anxiolytic/antipanic properties, the latter of which have been considered superior to those of other antidepressants. As for ALA-T inhibition, though the consequences of disabling this enzyme are currently not well understood, there is some evidence to suggest that it is this action of the hydrazines (including phenelzine) which may be responsible for the occasional incidence of hepatitis and liver failure.

    Phenelzine has also been shown to metabolize to phenethylamine (PEA).[24] PEA acts as a releasing agent of norepinephrine and dopamine, and this occurs in the same manner as amphetamine (very similar in structure) by being taken up into vesicles, and displacing, and causing the release of those monoamines (though with markedly different pharmacokinetics such as a far shorter duration of action). Although this is indeed the same mechanism to which some (but not all) of amphetamine's effects are attributable to, this is not all that uncommon a property among phenethylamines in general, many of which do not have psychoactive properties comparable to amphetamine. Amphetamine is different in that it binds with high affinity to the reuptake pumps of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, which phenethylamine and related molecules may as well to some extent, but with far less potency, such that it is basically insignificant in comparison. And, often being metabolized too quickly or not having the solubility to enable it to have a psychostimulant effect in humans. Claims that phenethylamine has comparable or roughly similar effects to psychostimulants such as amphetamine when administered are misconstrued. Phenethylamine does not have any obvious, easily discernible, reliably induced effects when administered to humans. Phenelzine's enhancement of PEA levels may contribute further to its overall antidepressant effects to some degree. In addition, phenethylamine is a substrate for MAO-B, and treatment with MAOIs that inhibit MAO-B such as phenelzine have been shown to consistently and significantly elevate its concentrations.

    Phenelzine usually requires six to eight weeks of treatment, and a minimum dose of 60 mg/day, to achieve therapeutic effects. The reason for the delay in therapeutic effect is not fully understood, but it is believed to be due to many factors, including achieving steady-state levels of MAO inhibition and the resulting adaptations in mean neurotransmitter levels, the possibility of necessary desensitization of autoreceptors which normally inhibit the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, and also the upregulation of enzymes such as serotonin N-acetyltransferase. Typically, a therapeutic response to MAOIs is associated with an inhibition of at least 80-85% of monoamine oxidase activity.[25]

    Pharmacokinetics

    Phenelzine 15 mg tablets.

    Phenelzine is administered orally in the form of phenelzine sulfate and is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Time to peak plasma concentration is 43 minutes and half-life is 11.6 hours. Unlike most other drugs, phenelzine irreversibly disables MAO, and as a result, it does not necessarily need to be present in the blood at all times for its effects to be sustained. Because of this, upon phenelzine treatment being ceased, its effects typically do not actually wear off until the body replenishes its enzyme stores, a process which can take as long as 2–3 weeks.

    Phenelzine is metabolized primarily in the liver and its metabolites are excreted in the urine. Oxidation is the primary routine of metabolism, and the major metabolites are phenylacetic acid and parahydroxyphenylacetic acid, recovered as about 73% of the excreted dose of phenelzine in the urine over the course of 96 hours after single doses. Acetylation to N2-acetylphenelzine is a minor pathway. Phenelzine may also interact with cytochrome P450 enzymes, inactivating these enzymes through formation of a heme adduct. Two other minor metabolites of phenelzine, as mentioned above, include phenylethylidenehydrazine and phenethylamine.

    History

    Synthesis of phenelzine was first described by Emil Votoček and Otakar Leminger in 1932.[26][27]

    Society and culture

    In June 2020, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) reported that the availability of phenelzine was discontinued in Australia due to global issues with the manufacture of the active pharmaceutical ingredient.[28][29] However, unapproved phenelzine products may be accessed through alternative pathways, such as the Special Access Scheme (SAS) administered by the TGA.[29] In October 2020, The TGA authorized two sponsors to supply an overseas-registered brand of phenelzine in Australia.[30] In May 2020, the Specialist Pharmacy Service in the UK reported the unavailability of phenelzine from the sole supplier.[31] In July 2020, supplies of unlicensed phenelzine 15mg capsule specials became available for UK patients.[32] In February 2021, Phenelzine again became available in Australia as a subsidized medication through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.[33][34] Along with tranylcypromine and isocarboxazid, phenelzine is one of the few non-selective and irreversible MAOIs still in widespread clinical use.

    See also

    References

    1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Phenelzine Monograph for Professionals". Drugs.com. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
    2. 1 2 "Phenelzine (Nardil) Use During Pregnancy". Drugs.com. 3 March 2020. Archived from the original on 12 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
    3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 BNF 81: March-September 2021. BMJ Group and the Pharmaceutical Press. 2021. p. 382. ISBN 978-0857114105.
    4. ↑ "Phenelzine Prices, Coupons & Patient Assistance Programs". Drugs.com. Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
    5. ↑ Parke-Davis Division of Pfizer Inc. (2007). Nardil(R) (Phenelzine sulfate tablets, USP), labeling information. Retrieved December 14, 2009 from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Web site: "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2009-11-27. Retrieved 2009-12-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
    6. ↑ Fiedorowicz JG, Swartz KL (July 2004). "The role of monoamine oxidase inhibitors in current psychiatric practice". Journal of Psychiatric Practice. 10 (4): 239–48. doi:10.1097/00131746-200407000-00005. PMC 2075358. PMID 15552546.
    7. ↑ Vallejo J, Gasto C, Catalan R, Salamero M (November 1987). "Double-blind study of imipramine versus phenelzine in Melancholias and Dysthymic Disorders". The British Journal of Psychiatry. 151 (5): 639–42. doi:10.1192/bjp.151.5.639. PMID 3446308.
    8. ↑ Quitkin FM, McGrath P, Liebowitz MR, Stewart J, Howard A (March 1981). "Monoamine oxidase inhibitors in bipolar endogenous depressives". Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 1 (2): 70–4. doi:10.1097/00004714-198103000-00005. PMID 7028797. S2CID 32909169.
    9. ↑ Buigues J, Vallejo J (February 1987). "Therapeutic response to phenelzine in patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia with panic attacks". The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 48 (2): 55–9. PMID 3542985.
    10. ↑ Blanco C, Schneier FR, Schmidt A, Blanco-Jerez CR, Marshall RD, Sánchez-Lacay A, Liebowitz MR (2003). "Pharmacological treatment of social anxiety disorder: a meta-analysis". Depression and Anxiety. 18 (1): 29–40. doi:10.1002/da.10096. PMID 12900950. S2CID 12296484.
    11. ↑ Walsh BT, Gladis M, Roose SP, Stewart JW, Stetner F, Glassman AH (May 1988). "Phenelzine vs placebo in 50 patients with bulimia". Archives of General Psychiatry. 45 (5): 471–5. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1988.01800290091011. PMID 3282482.
    12. ↑ Frank JB, Kosten TR, Giller EL, Dan E (October 1988). "A randomized clinical trial of phenelzine and imipramine for posttraumatic stress disorder". The American Journal of Psychiatry. 145 (10): 1289–91. doi:10.1176/ajp.145.10.1289. PMID 3048121.
    13. ↑ Vallejo, J.; Olivares, J.; Marcos, T.; Bulbena, A.; Menchón, J. M. (2 January 2018). "Clomipramine versus Phenelzine in Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder". British Journal of Psychiatry. 161 (5): 665–670. doi:10.1192/bjp.161.5.665. PMID 1422616.
    14. ↑ Annesley, P. T. (29 January 2018). "Nardil Response in a Chronic Obsessive Compulsive". British Journal of Psychiatry. 115 (523): 748. doi:10.1192/bjp.115.523.748. PMID 5806868.
    15. ↑ Gómez-Gil E, Salmerón JM, Mas A (April 1996). "Phenelzine-induced fulminant hepatic failure". Annals of Internal Medicine. 124 (7): 692–3. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-124-7-199604010-00014. PMID 8607601. S2CID 43020372.
    16. ↑ Grady, Meghan M.; Stahl, Stephen M. (26 April 2012). "Practical guide for prescribing MAOIs: debunking myths and removing barriers". CNS Spectrums. 17 (1): 2–10. doi:10.1017/S109285291200003X. PMID 22790112. S2CID 206312008.
    17. ↑ Stahl, Stephen M.; Felker, Angela (7 November 2014). "Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors: A Modern Guide to an Unrequited Class of Antidepressants". CNS Spectrums. 13 (10): 855–871. doi:10.1017/s1092852900016965. PMID 18955941. S2CID 6118722.
    18. ↑ "Archive copy". Archived from the original on 2021-08-21. Retrieved 2021-09-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
    19. ↑ Malcolm DE, Yu PH, Bowen RC, O'Donovan C, Hawkes J, Hussein M (November 1994). "Phenelzine reduces plasma vitamin B6". Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience. 19 (5): 332–4. PMC 1188621. PMID 7803366.
    20. ↑ PDB: 1OHW​; Storici P, De Biase D, Bossa F, Bruno S, Mozzarelli A, Peneff C, Silverman RB, Schirmer T (January 2004). "Structures of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) aminotransferase, a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, and [2Fe-2S] cluster-containing enzyme, complexed with gamma-ethynyl-GABA and with the antiepilepsy drug vigabatrin". The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 279 (1): 363–73. doi:10.1074/jbc.M305884200. PMID 14534310.
    21. ↑ Dubnick B, Leeson GA, Scott CC (July 1960). "Effect of forms of vitamin B6 on acute toxicity of hydrazines". Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. 2 (4): 403–9. doi:10.1016/0041-008X(60)90007-7. PMID 13818307.
    22. ↑ Tanay VA, Parent MB, Wong JT, Paslawski T, Martin IL, Baker GB (August 2001). "Effects of the antidepressant/antipanic drug phenelzine on alanine and alanine transaminase in rat brain". Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology. 21 (4): 325–39. doi:10.1023/A:1012697904299. PMID 11775064. S2CID 20655821.
    23. ↑ McKenna KF, McManus DJ, Baker GB, Coutts RT (1994). "Chronic administration of the antidepressant phenelzine and its N-acetyl analogue: effects on GABAergic function". Journal of Neural Transmission. Supplementum. 41: 115–22. doi:10.1007/978-3-7091-9324-2_15. ISBN 978-3-211-82521-1. PMID 7931216.
    24. ↑ Dyck LE, Durden DA, Boulton AA (June 1985). "Formation of beta-phenylethylamine from the antidepressant, beta-phenylethylhydrazine". Biochemical Pharmacology. 34 (11): 1925–9. doi:10.1016/0006-2952(85)90310-7. PMID 4004908.
    25. ↑ Raft D, Davidson J, Wasik J, Mattox A (1981). "Relationship between response to phenelzine and MAO inhibition in a clinical trial of phenelzine, amitriptyline and placebo". Neuropsychobiology. 7 (3): 122–6. doi:10.1159/000117841. PMID 7231652.
    26. ↑ The Merck Index, 12th Edition, 7181
    27. ↑ Votoček, E.; Leminger, O. (1932). "Sur la β-phenoéthylhydrazine". Collection of Czechoslovak Chemical Communications. 4: 271–281. doi:10.1135%2FCCCC19320271. {{cite journal}}: Check |doi= value (help)
    28. ↑ "Phenelzine (Nardil) discontinuation". Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) (Press release). 29 June 2020. Archived from the original on 12 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
    29. 1 2 Therapeutic Goods Administration, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (June 2020). "Discontinuation of Nardil (phenelzine sulfate)" (PDF). Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
    30. ↑ "Phenelzine (Nardil)". 19 October 2020. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
    31. ↑ "Shortage of phenelzine 15mg tablets (Nardil)". SPS - Specialist Pharmacy Service. 11 May 2020. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
    32. ↑ "Supply Disruption Alert: Phenelzine Sulphate 15mg tablets (Nardil®) - Updated". Archived from the original on 2021-07-25. Retrieved 2021-09-13.
    33. ↑ "Archive copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-03-25. Retrieved 2021-09-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
    34. ↑ "Archive copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-02-13. Retrieved 2021-09-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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