PHENELZINE

Fetal Risk Summary

Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor used in the treatment of depression. In reproduction studies with mice at doses above the maximum recommended human dose, a significant decrease in the number of viable offspring per mouse was observed (1).

The Collaborative Perinatal Project monitored 21 mother-child pairs exposed to these drugs during the 1st trimester, 3 of which were exposed to phenelzine (2). An increased risk of malformations was found. Details of the three cases with phenelzine exposure are not available.

Breast Feeding Summary

No reports describing the use of phenelzine during lactation have been located. The molecular weight (about 234 for the sulfate salt) is low enough, however, that excretion into breast milk should be expected.

References

1. Product information. Nardil. Parke-Davis, 2000.
2. Heinonen OP, Slone D, Shapiro S. Birth Defects and Drugs in Pregnancy. Littleton, MA: Publishing Sciences Group, 1977:336–7.