Page "Antidepressant" Paragraph 63

Irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors ( MAOIs ) may be used if other antidepressant medications are ineffective.

MAOIs work by blocking the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which breaks down the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.

As there are potentially fatal interactions between this class of medication and certain foods ( particularly those containing tyramine ), as well as certain drugs, classic MAOIs are rarely prescribed any more.

However, this does not apply to Emsam, the transdermal patch form of selegiline, which due to its bypassing of the stomach has a lesser propensity to induce such events.

MAOIs can be as effective as tricyclic antidepressants, although they are generally used less frequently because they have a higher incidence of dangerous side effects and interactions.

A new generation of MAOIs has been introduced ; moclobemide ( Manerix ), known as a reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A ( RIMA ), which is as effective as SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants, in depressive disorders, acts in a more short-lived and selective manner and does not require a special diet.

The MAOI group of medicines include: