Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, also referred to as MAO inhibitors or MAOIs, perform by impeding the exercise of monoamine oxidase enzymes within the mind.
These enzymes are accountable for the degradation of neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Whereas traditionally linked to melancholy because of low ranges of those neurotransmitters, their deficiency may not solely clarify melancholy. MAOIs elevate the degrees of those neurotransmitters by inhibiting the actions of monoamine oxidase enzymes.
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Usually reserved for circumstances the place customary antidepressants have failed, MAOIs pose the next danger of drug interactions in comparison with typical antidepressants. Moreover, they will work together adversely with particular meals equivalent to aged cheeses and cured meats.
Key Info: Understanding MAO Inhibitors (MAOIs)
1. What Are MAO Inhibitors?
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a category of antidepressant medicine that deal with psychological well being situations by blocking the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which breaks down mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
2. Frequent MAOI Medication Listed:
The article lists a number of extensively recognized MAOI drugs, together with phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and isocarboxazid, which are sometimes used when different antidepressants fail.
3. When Are They Prescribed?
MAOIs are usually reserved for treatment-resistant melancholy, panic problems, or atypical melancholy because of their potential for critical meals and drug interactions.
4. Harmful Interactions:
Taking MAOIs with sure meals (like aged cheese and cured meats) or medicine (like SSRIs or decongestants) can result in life-threatening situations equivalent to hypertensive disaster or serotonin syndrome.
5. Use with Warning:
Sufferers on MAOIs require shut monitoring, strict dietary restrictions, and cautious drug administration. They’re not usually first-line antidepressants because of these complexities.
How do MAOIs work?
The monoamine oxidase enzyme naturally happens within the physique and is accountable for breaking down, or deactivating, particular neurotransmitters collectively known as monoamines, which embrace serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. It’s hypothesized that people with melancholy exhibit lowered ranges of those neurotransmitters within the mind. MAOIs perform by blocking the exercise of monoamine oxidase, thereby impeding the breakdown of monoamines and resulting in elevated ranges of those neurotransmitters within the mind.
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What are MAOIs used for?
MAOIs are primarily prescribed to deal with melancholy; nonetheless, they could even be employed in treating the next situations:
- Parkinson’s illness
- Alzheimer’s illness
- Panic dysfunction
- Social anxiousness dysfunction
- Bulimia
Checklist of MAOIs
Who can take MAOIs?
Warnings for MOAIs in youngsters and adolescents
Antidepressants, together with MAOIs, are topic to a mandated “boxed warning,” also referred to as a black field warning, by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) because of an elevated danger of suicidality in people underneath 24 years of age. Security and effectiveness for pediatric use haven’t been established for many MAOIs. When considering using an MAOI in a baby or adolescent, the prescriber should fastidiously weigh the potential dangers towards the medical advantages.
Professionals and Cons of mao
Professionals:
- Effectiveness
- Distinctive Mechanism
- Therapy for Atypical Despair
- Use in Different Situations
Cons:
- Aspect Results
- Dietary Restrictions
- Drug Interactions
Variations Between mao and sulindac
MAO (Monoamine Oxidase):
MAO is an enzyme discovered within the physique that helps break down neurotransmitters equivalent to serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
Sulindac:
Sulindac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to alleviate ache, irritation, and swelling brought on by varied situations equivalent to arthritis and gout.
Different to mao
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs):
- SNRIs are one other class of antidepressants that improve ranges of serotonin and norepinephrine within the mind.
- Examples embrace venlafaxine (Effexor), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and desvenlafaxine (Pristiq).
Are MAOIs secure?
MAOIs include a boxed warning in regards to the heightened danger of suicidal ideation and conduct in some youthful sufferers. All sufferers, no matter age, who start antidepressant remedy ought to bear monitoring for indications of suicidal ideas and behaviors. Moreover, MAOIs characteristic a second boxed warning concerning a sudden and extreme rise in blood stress that will end result from consuming particular meals or drinks throughout remedy.
Previous to initiating an MAOI routine, sufferers ought to be knowledgeable concerning the vital drug-food and drug-drug interactions that would result in serotonin syndrome or hypertensive disaster.
Serotonin syndrome
Hypertensive disaster
An elevation in blood stress could happen considerably when there are extreme ranges of tyramine within the physique. Tyramine, a naturally occurring amino acid aiding blood stress regulation, is often present in sure meals. The enzyme monoamine oxidase facilitates the breakdown of surplus tyramine. Nonetheless, since MAOIs inhibit monoamine oxidase, tyramine ranges can accumulate to hazardous ranges. This elevation in tyramine can set off a extreme surge in blood stress necessitating instant medical consideration. Sufferers ought to be cautioned to keep away from the next meals and drinks whereas taking MAOIs and for 2 weeks after discontinuation:
Meat and fish
Pickled herring
Liver
Dry sausage varieties (together with Genoa salami, arduous salami, pepperoni, and Lebanon bologna)
Spoiled or improperly saved meat, poultry, and fish
Greens
Broad bean pods (fava bean pods)
Sauerkraut
Fruits
Overripe avocados, bananas, raisins, or figs
Dairy merchandise
Aged cheeses
Yogurt
Drinks
Beer and wine
Alcohol-free and reduced-alcohol beer and wine merchandise
Miscellaneous
Yeast extract (together with brewer’s yeast in giant portions)
Meat extract
Most soybean merchandise (together with soy sauce and tofu)
Extreme portions of chocolate and caffeine
Over-the-counter dietary supplements containing tyramine
Frequent MAOI unwanted effects
The next are potential frequent unwanted effects related to MAOIs. This listing shouldn’t be exhaustive, and it’s important to hunt skilled medical recommendation from a healthcare supplier earlier than initiating MAOI remedy:
- Orthostatic hypotension (momentary drop in blood stress, typically upon standing all of the sudden)
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Central nervous system (CNS) stimulation
- Muscle spasms
- Tremor
- Myoclonic jerks (abrupt muscle contractions)
- Nervousness
- Agitation
- Weak point
- Blurred imaginative and prescient
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Lack of urge for food
- Palpitations
- Tachycardia (speedy coronary heart charge)
- Ejaculatory dysfunction
- Impotence
- Dry mouth
- Swelling of decrease legs or palms
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Paresthesia (tingling or prickly sensation in palms or ft)
- Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing within the ears)
- Urinary retention
- Rash
Conclusion
MAOIs provide efficient remedy choices for melancholy in adults, albeit with the potential for vital unwanted effects and interactions. Warning is warranted, particularly when contemplating their use in aged sufferers and youthful people. The danger of serotonin syndrome and hypertensive disaster underscores the significance of cautious medicine administration and adherence to dietary restrictions. Sufferers ought to be vigilant about potential hostile results and promptly report any regarding signs to their healthcare suppliers. Finally, collaboration between sufferers and healthcare professionals is paramount to make sure secure and efficient remedy with MAOIs.
Authoritative References:
1. Nationwide Institutes of Well being (NIH) – MedlinePlus. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs).
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007434.htm
2. American Psychiatric Affiliation. (2023). Follow Pointers for the Use of Antidepressants.
https://www.psychiatry.org
3. Mayo Clinic. (2024). Despair (main depressive dysfunction) – MAOIs.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/melancholy/in-depth/antidepressants/art-20046273
