Comprehensive medication guide to {drug} including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Marplan (Isocarboxazid) is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressant manufactured by Validus Pharmaceuticals. It is FDA-approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder, specifically in patients who have not responded to other antidepressants. Marplan is considered a last-line treatment option due to its significant dietary restrictions and drug interaction profile. It may also be used off-label for atypical depression, panic disorder, social phobia, and treatment-resistant anxiety.
Marplan works as a non-selective, irreversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (MAO-A and MAO-B). These enzymes are responsible for breaking down key neurotransmitters in the brain — serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. By blocking MAO, Marplan prevents the breakdown of these neurotransmitters, increasing their availability in the brain. This boost in neurotransmitter levels helps improve mood and alleviate symptoms of depression. It may take several weeks of treatment before the full therapeutic effect is felt.
Marplan (Isocarboxazid) is extremely difficult to find in 2026. It has experienced a critical shortage in the US market, prompting the FDA to coordinate temporary importation from overseas. Availability remains limited and intermittent at most pharmacies. As a niche MAOI antidepressant with no generic version available, manufacturing challenges and low demand contribute to ongoing supply issues. Patients should expect to contact multiple pharmacies or use tools like Medfinder to locate stock.
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Marplan is almost exclusively prescribed by psychiatrists and psychopharmacologists due to its complex drug interaction profile and the strict dietary restrictions required during treatment. It is not typically prescribed by primary care physicians. Telehealth prescribing is generally not available for Marplan given the need for close monitoring and the serious risks involved with MAOI therapy.
No, Marplan is not a controlled substance. It does not have a DEA schedule classification. However, it does carry a boxed warning about increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults, and it requires strict medical supervision due to the risk of hypertensive crisis from food and drug interactions.
Serious side effects include hypertensive crisis (from tyramine interaction), serotonin syndrome, suicidal thoughts or behavior, hepatotoxicity, and seizures. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a sudden severe headache, rapid heartbeat, stiff neck, or nausea/vomiting while taking Marplan.
Patients must also strictly avoid tyramine-containing foods including aged cheeses, cured meats, fermented foods, soy sauce, red wine, and tap beer. A complete list should be reviewed with your prescribing physician.
Marplan is an important but hard-to-find medication for patients with treatment-resistant depression. With a findability score of just 30 out of 100, it remains one of the most difficult prescriptions to fill in the United States. If you've been prescribed Marplan and are struggling to find it in stock, try using Medfinder to search pharmacies near you. You can also contact Validus Pharmaceuticals directly at 1-866-982-5438 for assistance, or explore patient assistance programs through Prescription Hope ($70/month), NeedyMeds, or RxAssist. Despite its challenges, Marplan can be a life-changing medication for those who need it.
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