Monoamine oxidase inhibitor

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a class of drugs that inhibit the activity of one or both monoamine oxidase enzymes: monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B). They are best known for their use in the treatment of depression, but they can also be effective for anxiety disorders, Parkinson's disease, and several other conditions.

Mechanism of Action

MAOIs act by inhibiting the activity of monoamine oxidase, thus preventing the breakdown of monoamine neurotransmitters and thereby increasing their availability. There are two isoforms of monoamine oxidase, MAO-A and MAO-B. MAO-A preferentially deaminates serotonin, melatonin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. The action of MAO-B mainly affects dopamine and phenethylamine.

Uses

MAOIs have been found to be effective in the treatment of a variety of conditions including:

• Depression: MAOIs appear particularly effective in the treatment of atypical depression.
• Anxiety disorders: They can also be used in the treatment of anxiety disorders such as panic disorder and social anxiety disorder.
• Parkinson's disease: MAO-B inhibitors are used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Side Effects and Interactions

MAOIs can cause a number of side effects, including hypertension and serotonin syndrome. They can interact with a variety of foods and other drugs; in particular, they should not be combined with other antidepressants, certain pain killers, or certain kinds of food like aged cheeses and cured meats, as these can lead to a hypertensive crisis.

See also

• List of antidepressants
• List of adrenergic drugs
• Serotonin syndrome

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