![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SalArmy4me on August 31, 2001, at 21:29:26
What was so wrong with isocarboxazid, that people abandoned it for the more volatile (IMHO) phenelzine and tranylcypromine? Its back on the market now, and I wonder how it does popularity-wise.
Posted by kazoo on September 1, 2001, at 11:01:52
In reply to Marplan, posted by SalArmy4me on August 31, 2001, at 21:29:26
> What was so wrong with isocarboxazid, that people abandoned it for the more volatile (IMHO) phenelzine and tranylcypromine? Its back on the market now, and I wonder how it does popularity-wise.
^^^^^^^^^^
MARPLAN was considered the "weakest" of the three other major MAOIs. Roche discontinued it when sales dropped (typical!). The drug is available generically. I took it 20 or so years ago: did nothing.
MARPLAN also happens to be one of the character names of some alien in an old Star Trek episode.
What? No infringement litigation against Captain Kirk? I'm shocked! Someone call Johnny Cochran, quickly!
Posted by Mitch on September 1, 2001, at 19:08:28
In reply to Re: Marplan » SalArmy4me, posted by kazoo on September 1, 2001, at 11:01:52
> > What was so wrong with isocarboxazid, that people abandoned it for the more volatile (IMHO) phenelzine and tranylcypromine? Its back on the market now, and I wonder how it does popularity-wise.
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^
>
> MARPLAN was considered the "weakest" of the three other major MAOIs. Roche discontinued it when sales dropped (typical!). The drug is available generically. I took it 20 or so years ago: did nothing.
>
> MARPLAN also happens to be one of the character names of some alien in an old Star Trek episode.
>
> What? No infringement litigation against Captain Kirk? I'm shocked! Someone call Johnny Cochran, quickly!Hey, I like that sense of humour! It makes me want to try it just so I can tell people-"uh, I dunno, I take Marplan, you know, the name of that alien on Star Trek?"
Posted by Lorraine on September 3, 2001, at 22:34:55
In reply to Re: Marplan » kazoo, posted by Mitch on September 1, 2001, at 19:08:28
> > > What was so wrong with isocarboxazid, that people abandoned it for the more volatile (IMHO) phenelzine and tranylcypromine? Its back on the market now, and I wonder how it does popularity-wise.
I know a manic-depressive who takes Marplan and swears by it--has taken it for years. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.
Lorraine
> >
> > ^^^^^^^^^^
> >
> > MARPLAN was considered the "weakest" of the three other major MAOIs. Roche discontinued it when sales dropped (typical!). The drug is available generically. I took it 20 or so years ago: did nothing.
> >
> > MARPLAN also happens to be one of the character names of some alien in an old Star Trek episode.
> >
> > What? No infringement litigation against Captain Kirk? I'm shocked! Someone call Johnny Cochran, quickly!
>
> Hey, I like that sense of humour! It makes me want to try it just so I can tell people-"uh, I dunno, I take Marplan, you know, the name of that alien on Star Trek?"
Posted by Mitch on September 3, 2001, at 23:10:05
In reply to Re: Marplan, posted by Lorraine on September 3, 2001, at 22:34:55
> > > > What was so wrong with isocarboxazid, that people abandoned it for the more volatile (IMHO) phenelzine and tranylcypromine? Its back on the market now, and I wonder how it does popularity-wise.
>
> I know a manic-depressive who takes Marplan and swears by it--has taken it for years. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.
>
> Lorraine
> > >
> > > ^^^^^^^^^^
> > >
> > > MARPLAN was considered the "weakest" of the three other major MAOIs. Roche discontinued it when sales dropped (typical!). The drug is available generically. I took it 20 or so years ago: did nothing.
> > >
> > > MARPLAN also happens to be one of the character names of some alien in an old Star Trek episode.
> > >
> > > What? No infringement litigation against Captain Kirk? I'm shocked! Someone call Johnny Cochran, quickly!
> >
> > Hey, I like that sense of humour! It makes me want to try it just so I can tell people-"uh, I dunno, I take Marplan, you know, the name of that alien on Star Trek?"All three MAOI's here in the U.S. The brand names are Marplan, Parnate, and Nardil.
I don't think it is a coincidence that *all* three trade names sound like aliens from old Star Trek episodes!
ok, it is a full-moon weekend :-:)
Posted by Rick on September 4, 2001, at 1:29:47
In reply to Re: Marplan » Lorraine, posted by Mitch on September 3, 2001, at 23:10:05
>
> All three MAOI's here in the U.S. The brand names are Marplan, Parnate, and Nardil.
>
> I don't think it is a coincidence that *all* three trade names sound like aliens from old Star Trek episodes!
>
That reminds me, yesterday I saw a game show emceed by TV's legendary "atypical host," Bob Nardil. The winning contestant took home a year's supply of Parnation Instant Milk, as well as a one-week visit to the long-lost Polynesian island of Maoi. The loser received free lifetime enrollment in Marlon Brando's renowned "Mar-Plan" weight reduction program, PLUS a week's supply of heavily-aged cheeses and month-old, sun-ripened liver.(That moon IS bright, isn't it?)
Posted by Mitch on September 4, 2001, at 10:02:32
In reply to Re: Marplan, posted by Rick on September 4, 2001, at 1:29:47
> >
> > All three MAOI's here in the U.S. The brand names are Marplan, Parnate, and Nardil.
> >
> > I don't think it is a coincidence that *all* three trade names sound like aliens from old Star Trek episodes!
> >
> That reminds me, yesterday I saw a game show emceed by TV's legendary "atypical host," Bob Nardil. The winning contestant took home a year's supply of Parnation Instant Milk, as well as a one-week visit to the long-lost Polynesian island of Maoi. The loser received free lifetime enrollment in Marlon Brando's renowned "Mar-Plan" weight reduction program, PLUS a week's supply of heavily-aged cheeses and month-old, sun-ripened liver.
>
> (That moon IS bright, isn't it?)Yes, it is. Actually I thought a little more about it and these meds were marketed at a time when all of the nuclear paranoia in the 50's and 60's was going on. Probably just a few years give or take around the time the "The Day the Earth Stood Still" debuted.
Posted by Rick on September 4, 2001, at 17:58:22
In reply to Re: Marplan » Rick, posted by Mitch on September 4, 2001, at 10:02:32
> > >
> > > All three MAOI's here in the U.S. The brand names are Marplan, Parnate, and Nardil.
> > >
> > > I don't think it is a coincidence that *all* three trade names sound like aliens from old Star Trek episodes!
> > >
> > That reminds me, yesterday I saw a game show emceed by TV's legendary "atypical host," Bob Nardil. The winning contestant took home a year's supply of Parnation Instant Milk, as well as a one-week visit to the long-lost Polynesian island of Maoi. The loser received free lifetime enrollment in Marlon Brando's renowned "Mar-Plan" weight reduction program, PLUS a week's supply of heavily-aged cheeses and month-old, sun-ripened liver.
> >
> > (That moon IS bright, isn't it?)
>
> Yes, it is. Actually I thought a little more about it and these meds were marketed at a time when all of the nuclear paranoia in the 50's and 60's was going on. Probably just a few years give or take around the time the "The Day the Earth Stood Still" debuted.Excellent observation. I'd wager that the corny paranoia-influenced science fiction of the day actually did influence selection of med names, especially when it came to the new and mysterious world of psychotropics. I'm not real familiar with the TCA's, but don't they also have brand names that sound like science fiction characters or places, e.g., Pamelor, Deseryl?
It's funny you mentioned the "Day the Earth Stood Still", because while composing my last post I was thinking of that flick and trying (unsucessfully) to recall the "special phrase" that was core to the plot. I was wondering if some of the words might have sounded MAOI-ish.
Rick
Posted by Mitch on September 5, 2001, at 0:13:24
In reply to Re: Marplan » Mitch, posted by Rick on September 4, 2001, at 17:58:22
>I'm not real familiar with the TCA's, but don't they also have brand names that sound like science fiction characters or places, e.g., Pamelor, Deseryl?
I think a lot of what happens with med names can also be influenced by the mechanism they work by or the effect they have on the individual, of course coupled with the marketing and cultural psychology at the time they were introduced.
For psychological effects, i.e.:Elavil (TCA-mood elevating)
Placidyl (ethchlorvinol-a hypnotic sedative)
Navane (antipsychotic-Nirvana??)
Mellaril (antipsychotic/anxiolytic)There are two that stand out to me not to have
any rhyme or reason with respect to mechanism:Noctec (chloral hydrate-"mickey finn" hypnotic)
Miltown (meprobamate-the first Mommy's little helper)-maybe if you worked in a textile mill small town and had seven kids to deal with??You know, if you were a new professor in cultural anthropology this might just be the ticket for a dissertation or publication idea to get yourself tenured.
Posted by Judy on September 6, 2001, at 20:41:47
In reply to Re: Marplan » Mitch, posted by Rick on September 4, 2001, at 17:58:22
> It's funny you mentioned the "Day the Earth Stood Still", because while composing my last post I was thinking of that flick and trying (unsucessfully) to recall the "special phrase" that was core to the plot.
Here ya go, Rick:
http://www.afionline.org/wise/films/day_the_earth_stood_still/dtess.html
Posted by Rick on September 6, 2001, at 20:50:50
In reply to Re: Marplan » Rick, posted by Judy on September 6, 2001, at 20:41:47
Posted by Elizabeth on September 8, 2001, at 22:16:43
In reply to Re: Marplan » SalArmy4me, posted by kazoo on September 1, 2001, at 11:01:52
> MARPLAN was considered the "weakest" of the three other major MAOIs. Roche discontinued it when sales dropped (typical!).
Especially typical of Roche. I think that the doses used in the past were found to be subtherapeutic.
> MARPLAN also happens to be one of the character names of some alien in an old Star Trek episode.
Dude! Which ep?
> What? No infringement litigation against Captain Kirk? I'm shocked! Someone call Johnny Cochran, quickly!
Which came first: Trek ('66) or isocarboxazid? (I think Nardil and Parnate were first marketed in, respectively, '59 and '63.)
-elizabeth
Posted by Elizabeth on September 8, 2001, at 22:24:37
In reply to Re: Marplan » Lorraine, posted by Mitch on September 3, 2001, at 23:10:05
> All three MAOI's here in the U.S. The brand names are Marplan, Parnate, and Nardil.
>
> I don't think it is a coincidence that *all* three trade names sound like aliens from old Star Trek episodes!See the "where do they come up with these names" thread.
In regard to TCA names: a few names (in the U.S.) are Tofranil, Elavil, Norpramin, Pamelor, Aventyl, Anafranil, and Sinequan. Newer TCAs include Asendin and Ludiomil. Not so SF-y compared to the MAOIs and some of the newer drugs. (Desyrel didn't appear on the scene until around 1980.)
-elizabeth
Posted by Grouch on September 9, 2001, at 21:38:28
In reply to Re: Marplan, posted by Elizabeth on September 8, 2001, at 22:16:43
> > MARPLAN was considered the "weakest" of the three other major MAOIs. Roche discontinued it when sales dropped (typical!).
>
> Especially typical of Roche. I think that the doses used in the past were found to be subtherapeutic.Marplan was the MAO that really got off on the wrong foot. Several early studies showed it to be a less than spectacular antidepressant, so doctors shied away from it. However, it was later recognized that these studies were significantly flawed. There was also concern that Marplan might be toxic to the liver like its sister drug isoniazid (for TB), though time has shown this rarely to be a problem.
> > MARPLAN also happens to be one of the character names of some alien in an old Star Trek episode.
>
> Dude! Which ep?
>
> > What? No infringement litigation against Captain Kirk? I'm shocked! Someone call Johnny Cochran, quickly!
>
> Which came first: Trek ('66) or isocarboxazid? (I think Nardil and Parnate were first marketed in, respectively, '59 and '63.)There are Medline references to isocarboxazid as far back as '64 -- pre-Star-Trek era.
Posted by Elizabeth on September 12, 2001, at 3:21:08
In reply to Re: Marplan » Elizabeth, posted by Grouch on September 9, 2001, at 21:38:28
> Marplan was the MAO that really got off on the wrong foot. Several early studies showed it to be a less than spectacular antidepressant, so doctors shied away from it. However, it was later recognized that these studies were significantly flawed.
I think the doses used were too small. Were there other flaws that you're aware of?
> There was also concern that Marplan might be toxic to the liver like its sister drug isoniazid (for TB), though time has shown this rarely to be a problem.
Isoniazid is a hydrazide drug, like Marplan and Nardil, but isoniazid is not a MAO inhibitor to any significant degree. It is still used in the treatment of TB, although liver function testing is recommended. Iproniazid (Marsilid), another anti-TB drug, was the first MAOI used for depression and did get taken off the market due to hepatotoxicity. Nardil can cause liver damage as well, although this too is rare.
> > Which came first: Trek ('66) or isocarboxazid? (I think Nardil and Parnate were first marketed in, respectively, '59 and '63.)
>
> There are Medline references to isocarboxazid as far back as '64 -- pre-Star-Trek era.OK, but which episode had the Marplan character?!!
(BTW, Medline citations may predate the assignment of a brand name to a drug.)
-elizabeth
Posted by Grouch on September 12, 2001, at 23:01:11
In reply to Re: Marplan » Grouch, posted by Elizabeth on September 12, 2001, at 3:21:08
> > Marplan was the MAO that really got off on the wrong foot. Several early studies showed it to be a less than spectacular antidepressant, so doctors shied away from it. However, it was later recognized that these studies were significantly flawed.
>
> I think the doses used were too small. Were there other flaws that you're aware of?Yes, I think dose was one issue, but as I recall they were just generally poorly designed and poorly controlled studies. I read some of them a couple of years ago and I don't remember the specifics, but I can give you a few references if you'd like to look them up.
Kurland AA, Destounis N, Shaffer JW, et al: A critical study of isocarboxazide (Marplan) in the treatment of depressed patients. J Nerv Ment Dis 145:292-305, 1967
Rothman T, Grayson H, Ferguson J: An evaluation of the effectiveness of isocarboxazide (Marplan) in the depressive syndromes. Compr Psychiatry 2:27-34, 1961
Overall JE, Hollister LE, Pokorny AD, et al: Drug therapy in depressants. Controlled evaluation of imipramine, isocarboxazide, dextroamphetamine-amobarbital, and placebo. Clin Pharmacol Ther 3:16-22, 1962
Greenblatt MG, Grosser GH, Wechsler H: Differential response of hospitalized depressed patients to somatic therapy. Am J Psychiatry 120:935-943, 1964
Another article which acknowledges "methodologic problems" in these early studies (but doesn't go into specfics) and discusses some more recent better designed studies:
Zisook S. Side effects of isocarboxazid. J Clin Psychiatry. 1984 Jul;45(7 Pt 2):53-8.
> > There was also concern that Marplan might be toxic to the liver like its sister drug isoniazid (for TB), though time has shown this rarely to be a problem.
>
> Isoniazid is a hydrazide drug, like Marplan and Nardil, but isoniazid is not a MAO inhibitor to any significant degree. It is still used in the treatment of TB, although liver function testing is recommended. Iproniazid (Marsilid), another anti-TB drug, was the first MAOI used for depression and did get taken off the market due to hepatotoxicity.Whoops. I was actually talking about iproniazid when I said isoniazid. The names are so easy to confuse. I suspect 'isocarboxazid' has probably caused some confusion as well, being so similarly named.
> > > Which came first: Trek ('66) or isocarboxazid? (I think Nardil and Parnate were first marketed in, respectively, '59 and '63.)
> >
> > There are Medline references to isocarboxazid as far back as '64 -- pre-Star-Trek era.
>
> OK, but which episode had the Marplan character?!!I propose that Dr. Bob immediately set up a "Psycho-Star-Trek-Babble" board so that we may research and discuss this most important matter! :^)
> (BTW, Medline citations may predate the assignment of a brand name to a drug.)
Yeah.. I also did a search for "Marplan" and the oldest match was '66, so it probably still predates the Star Trek episode.
Grouch
Posted by Chocoholic on October 2, 2001, at 22:39:59
In reply to Marplan, posted by SalArmy4me on August 31, 2001, at 21:29:26
>I went to Stanford for a consult last March and Marplan was one of the first choices recommended for my bipolar depression. Unfortunately, my doctor was afraid to prescribe it. What was so wrong with isocarboxazid, that people abandoned it for the more volatile (IMHO) phenelzine and tranylcypromine? Its back on the market now, and I wonder how it does popularity-wise.
Posted by Chocoholic on October 2, 2001, at 22:40:13
In reply to Marplan, posted by SalArmy4me on August 31, 2001, at 21:29:26
>I went to Stanford for a consult last March and Marplan was one of the first choices recommended for my bipolar depression. Unfortunately, my doctor was afraid to prescribe it. What was so wrong with isocarboxazid, that people abandoned it for the more volatile (IMHO) phenelzine and tranylcypromine? Its back on the market now, and I wonder how it does popularity-wise.
Posted by SLS on October 3, 2001, at 19:11:55
In reply to Re: Marplan, posted by Chocoholic on October 2, 2001, at 22:40:13
> >I went to Stanford for a consult last March and Marplan was one of the first choices recommended for my bipolar depression. Unfortunately, my doctor was afraid to prescribe it. What was so wrong with isocarboxazid, that people abandoned it for the more volatile (IMHO) phenelzine and tranylcypromine? Its back on the market now, and I wonder how it does popularity-wise.
Hi Chocoholic.Did this doctor feel Marplan was a better drug for bipolar disorder than the other MAOIs? Did he offer any other comments regarding Marplan?
I've often heard that Marplan was considered to be a "weak" Nardil. I'm really not sure why. I have known some people who responded very well to Marplan and did not respond at all to Nardil. My previous doctor had a patient who was supplied with Marplan by the manufacturer on a compassionate use basis during the years it was off the market.
I'd be interested to know what this doctor had to say about it.
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.