Nardil, Phenelzine

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD
Updated on December 4, 2023

Phenelzine (FEN el zeen) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for depression in adults. The brand-name version of this drug is Nardil. The cost of phenelzine with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Read on to learn about phenelzine and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about phenelzine, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Cost of phenelzine

Like other medications, the cost of phenelzine can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use

To find out how much phenelzine costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for phenelzine” section.

Coupons for phenelzine

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of phenelzine. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for phenelzine

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of phenelzine. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for phenelzine. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re taking phenelzine long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand-names

Phenelzine is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Nardil.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

If your doctor has prescribed phenelzine but you’re interested in taking Nardil, let them know. They may prefer one medication over the other. Also, check whether your insurance plan covers only one version of the drug.

To learn how the cost of phenelzine compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about phenelzine and cost

Here are some common questions about phenelzine and their answers.

How does the cost of phenelzine compare with the cost of amitriptyline?

Phenelzine and amitriptyline are both antidepressant drugs that treat depression. But they work differently to treat the condition. Their prices depend on whether you are using insurance or paying cash. Insurance companies can vary in how they cover these two drugs. They may cover one of them and not the other. Sometimes, they may cover both but charge a higher copay for one.

The price can also vary if you use a brand-name product or a generic product. Both phenelzine and amitriptyline are generic medications. So, if you’re paying cash, they’ll be less expensive than paying for a brand-name product. Phenelzine is available in the brand-name version, Nardil. Amitriptyline is only available in generic form.

You can learn more about how the cost of phenelzine and amitriptyline will compare by contacting your insurance provider. If you have additional questions, you can talk with your pharmacist.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years without anyone else making their drug. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs as brand-name medications, which have already been tested. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What to ask about phenelzine

This article provides cost information related to phenelzine. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for phenelzine.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• How does the cost of phenelzine compare with other drugs that could treat my condition?
• What is the price of phenelzine with my insurance vs. if I pay in cash?
• What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm 
• Phenelzine sulfate tablets. (2017). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/40483372-448f-4284-976c-8462ef256661/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.