Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor

MAOI is an acronym for Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor.

MAOIs Monoamine oxidase inhibitors is used to treat depression and various other illness related to depression like sadness, panic disorder, etc.

MAOIs are generally used in patients who have not responded to other treatments. They are not often used as a first line treatment due to the special diet patients are required to follow whilst taking them.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors: MAOIs are effective for some people with major depression who do not respond to other antidepressants. They are also effective for the treatment of panic disorder and bipolar depression. MAOIs approved for the treatment of depression are phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan). Because substances in certain foods, beverages, and medications can cause dangerous interactions when combined with MAOIs, people on these agents must adhere to dietary restrictions. This has deterred many clinicians and patients from using these effective medications, which are in fact quite safe when used as directed.

MAOIs are liable to produce dangerous reactions with other drugs and some food; therefore they are not recommended as first-line antidepressant drugs. However, controlled trials have shown that in the following situations MAOIs carry an advantage over tricyclic antidepressants:

atypical depression;
anergic bipolar deression;
depression resistant to tricyclics and SSRIs.

How does Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) work?

Once the brain's three neurotransmitters, known as monoamines (serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine), have played their part in sending messages in the brain, they get burned up by a protein in the brain called monoamine oxidase, a liver and brain enzyme.

Antidepressants known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors work by blocking this cleanup activity. When the excess neurotransmitters don't get destroyed, they start piling up in the brain. And since depression is associated with low levels of these monoamines, it's not surprising that increasing the monoamines ease depressive symptoms.

MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) Important points

The small number of people for whom MAOIs Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are the best treatment need to avoid taking decongestants and consuming certain foods that contain high levels of tyramine, such as many cheeses, wines, and pickles.

The interaction of tyramine with MAOIs can bring on a sharp increase in blood pressure that can lead to a stroke.

The doctor should furnish a complete list of prohibited foods that the individual should carry at all times. Other forms of antidepressants require no food restrictions.

MAOIs also should not be combined with other antidepressants, especially SSRIs, due to the risk of serotonin syndrome.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs for Anxiety:

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs , are the oldest class of antidepressant medications. The most commonly prescribed MAOI is phenelzine, which is helpful for people with panic disorder and social phobia. Tranylcypromine and isoprocarboxazid are also used to treat anxiety disorders.

People who take MAOIs are put on a restrictive diet because these medications can interact with some foods and beverages, including cheese and red wine, which contain a chemical called tyramine.

MAOIs also interact with some other medications, including SSRIs. Interactions between MAOIs and other substances can cause dangerous elevations in blood pressure or other potentially life-threatening reactions.

What are the side effects of MAOIs (Monoamine oxidase inhibitors)?

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors and SSRIs antidepressant

Tyramine and maoi

Monoamines

Serotonin Syndrome - Serotonin Syndrome Symptom

Antidepressant-like profile and effects of rolipram (selective inhibitor of cyclic AMP) in the central nervous system.